Hardik Pandya Struggles Continue: Irfan Pathan Critique
In a disappointing turn of events, Mumbai faced a crushing defeat against Rajasthan in the 38th match of the ongoing IPL 2024 series. The match, held in Jaipur on April 22, saw Mumbai struggling to score, managing only 179/9 in 20 overs. Despite commendable efforts from Tilak Varma (65) and Nehal Vadera (49), Mumbai failed to set a challenging target.
Chasing 180 runs, Rajasthan’s youngster, Jaiswal, rose to the occasion, scoring an impressive century of 104* (60), while captain Sanju Samson (38*) and Jos Buttler (35) provided valuable support. Rajasthan comfortably achieved the target in just 18.4 overs, securing their 7th win and maintaining their position at the top of the points table.
However, the spotlight fell on Hardik Pandya’s struggle with the bat once again. Mumbai found themselves at 20/3 early in the match, with Pandya managing to score only 10 runs off 10 balls before getting out. His inability to provide the much-needed finishing touch cost Mumbai dearly, as they fell short of what could have been a competitive total.
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan expressed his concerns regarding Pandya’s recent form, particularly his struggles outside the Wankhede cricket ground. Pathan criticized Pandya’s ability to play aggressively and finish innings, highlighting it as a setback not only for Mumbai but also for the Indian team.
“Hardik Pandya’s batting is going downhill. That is the biggest concern in the bigger picture,” Pathan tweeted. “He performs differently on the Wankhede ground. But pitches with little help are a concern for him.”
Pathan’s critique comes at a crucial time for Mumbai, who now find themselves at the 8th position in the points table after registering their 5th defeat. With playoffs on the horizon, Mumbai will need to regroup quickly and put in stronger performances to keep their hopes alive in the IPL 2024 series.
