Despite a promising start in their match against Kolkata Knight Riders, where they reduced KKR to 57 for five, Mumbai Indians failed to capitalize on the advantage and ultimately lost the game by 24 runs at the Wankhede Stadium.
Finch, who has experienced similar situations, empathized with Pandya, stating, “He just looks really flattened at the moment, he looks really drained and someone who is feeling the pressure. I feel for him; I have been in that situation myself where everything that you’re trying personally doesn’t seem to be working.”
He added that bearing the responsibility for the team’s performance as a captain is an incredibly challenging position, especially in a brutal competition like the IPL.
Smith, a legendary South African captain, pointed out that Mumbai Indians have been a “confused team” under Pandya’s leadership, with numerous changes being made to the lineup. He suggested, “Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir were fighting in the middle order, Dhir was batting at No 3, and Hardik moving all over the place. They should have had Tilak at (No) 3, Sky at (No) 4, and Hardik batting at (No) 5 throughout the season, with David at (No) 6. Then, figure out your bowling units.”
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“To keep bowling Naman Dhir when it was so critical (KKR were at 57-5), it was a big mistake from the leadership of the Mumbai Indians, whether it was Hardik Pandya making the decisions or information coming from the sideline,” Watson told Jio Cinema.
Furthermore, Watson believed that not bringing in Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians’ best bowler, at that stage was a significant mistake that allowed KKR to build a crucial partnership and gain momentum.
(Inputs from PTI)