Srinagar: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has said that Hardik Pandya’s lack of form is a concern even for Team India ahead of T20 World Cup 2024.
Mumbai Indians skipper Pandya is under scrutiny after not having decent IPL 2024.
Irfan Pathan, urged that Pandya is finding out “easy ways” of regaining his form and should the trend continue, he would soon become a “weak link” for the team.
“Mumbai Indians is still a very good team on paper but being managed very poorly. Especially, if Hardik Pandya as a leader lacks form, he will become a weak link for his own team. What I am most worried about is that he is affecting his own hitting abilities,” Pathan said after MI lost to RR.
“This is a matter of concern — even for the Indian team. It seems as if he is looking for easy ways to come back to form and wants to keep himself in a comfortable position. And that is how he will not be able to win the respect of his team and teammates.”
“When the batters do well, he comes to bat at No. 3. And here, he sent Nehal Wadhera and Mohammad Nabi ahead of himself. He doesn’t come at a position where he needs to do the tough job,” Pathan added.
“If as a leader, you have to earn your teammates’ respect, he’s got to do the tough tasks; don’t look for easy ways. He bowls the first over thinking that he’ll escape, but even there, he gets struck for 2 fours, helps Buttler get in form, and then when Bumrah bowls, Buttler gets the confidence to play him out.”