Hardik Pandya Needs To Fire With Both Bat And Ball For Mumbai Indians To Excel in IPL 2024: Aaron Finch
Under new captain Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians have so far lost four and won two games in IPL 2024.
New Delhi: Former Australian captain Aaron Finch opined Mumbai Indians need their captain Hardik Pandya to find consistency with both bat and ball to bring the five-time champions’ campaign back on track in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Under the new leader in Pandya, Mumbai Indians lost their first three games before winning the next two. However, they lost to Chennai Super Kings in their previous match. Notably, Rohit Sharma was replaced by Pandya as captain for the season.
Pandya’s sudden absences from bowling raised speculations about whether he is fully fit or not. He bowled in the first two games and didn’t in the next two. Meanwhile, he bowled just one over against RCB before again bowling three overs against CSK.
“First and foremost, I think the captain needs to find some form and consistency with bat and ball. We’ve seen him bowl in some games and not in others, so ideally, some form with both bat and ball. I think that will go a long way,” Finch told on Star Sports Cricket Live.
While the batters have performed for Mumbai Indians, but their bowling lacked depth and quality except Jasprit Bumrah. The likes of Gerald Coetzee and Akash Madhwal have failed to live up to the expectations. “Additionally, their bowling outside of Jasprit Bumrah has lacked depth of quality and consistency,” added the former Australian opener.
Meanwhile, relieved from burden of captaincy, Rohit has actually come good for Mumbai Indians at the top. Not only he is playing free-flowing cricket, but also provides a strong platform for others to come along with fellow opener Ishan Kishan.
“One thing I love seeing with Rohit Sharma at the moment is how he’s playing carefree cricket. He did it throughout the 50-over World Cup, and he’s doing it now. He’s taking the game on, looking to have a maximum impact, which will be a great boost to the rest of the Mumbai Indians side.
“The start he provides along with Ishan Kishan can set up their whole batting innings. If they get on a roll in the second half of the IPL, it will be great for the team,” he said. For the record, Rohit has amassed 261 in six games including an unbeaten century against CSK in a losing cause. Mumbai Indians next play Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Thursday.