"If this kind of captaincy continues, MI are not making the playoffs" - Manoj Tiwary blasts Hardik Pandya after MI's defeat to RR in IPL 2024
Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary slammed Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya for his poor captaincy against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur on April 22.
Hardik has endured a torrid time in all facets - batting, bowling, and captaincy so far this season. On top of that, the management replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik as MI captain has not gone down well with the franchise's fans.
The RR encounter was a continuation of Hardik's struggles as MI suffered a fifth defeat in eight outings to remain seventh on the points table. After posting a slightly below-par 179/9 in 20 overs, the MI bowlers were lifeless again. Rajasthan chased down the score in a mere 18.4 overs with nine wickets in hand, raising further questions about Hardik's tactics.
Speaking to Crcbuzz post-game, Tiwary did not hold back in saying Hardik Pandya's captaincy could likely cost MI a playoff spot.
"If this kind of captaincy continues, MI are not making the playoffs. Previously, players were with Rohit Sharma. Now it feels like that MI players have not bought into Hardik Pandya as the captain of the side," Tiwary said.
Manoj Tiwary specifically pointed to MI not opting to open the bowling with ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, allowing the Royals to get off to a fast start at 11/0 after the first over.
"If you have Jasprit Bumrah in the line-up why will you not bowl him in the first over? Buttler came off a hundred, Jaiswal was not in the best form, you need to give your best bowler the best chance of picking a wicket.
"When Hardik Pandya came in, he got hit for 2 boundaries and that took the shine away from the new ball slightly, and the margin of swing reduced. Things got easier for the batter. I don't see MI progressing in the points table because these silly mistakes are being made," added Tiwary.
Unfortunately for Hardik, his batting form remained dismal as he scored a painstaking run-a-ball 10 to derail MI from posting a bigger total. The 30-year-old has scored only 151 runs at an average of 21.57 in eight innings and picked up four wickets at an average of over 46 with the ball.
"Cricket is simple, as long as we keep it simple" - Hardik Pandya
MI skipper Hardik Pandya lamented the basic errors in their defeat against RR but refrained from potentially making too many changes to the lineup.
The loss has put the side in a precarious position, having to win at least five of their last six outings.
"What we can do is learn from this game and the mistakes which we have made, rectify it and make sure that we don't make it. Progression is very important. Within the team, individually, we will have to accept our flaws and maybe work on those.
"I don't believe much in chip and chop, I like to back players and the focus would always be to play good cricket, sticking to our plans and making sure that we don't make the basic errors. Cricket is simple, as long as we keep it simple, it's nice," said Hardik at the post-match presentation.
The Mumbai Indians will have a five-day break before their next encounter against DC on Saturday, April 27.