Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has expressed unwavering determination to persevere through the team's challenging start in the IPL 2024 season. Despite encountering three consecutive losses, Pandya emphasized the resilient spirit of the former champions, promising continued effort and tenacity in the face of adversity.
Via a post on X, Pandya conveyed his and the team's resolve, stating, "If there's one thing you should know about this team, we never give up. We'll keep fighting, we'll keep going." This declaration comes at a time when Pandya is under intense scrutiny from fans following his succession of Rohit Sharma as the captain of MI. His leadership debut has been met with challenges, including noticeable dissent from the stands during the team's initial matches, reaching a climax during MI's first home game of the season.
Currently, under Pandya's leadership, Mumbai Indians find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of the IPL leaderboard after suffering three defeats in a row. Despite the rocky start, MI have a history of overcoming early setbacks, notably in 2015 when they bounced back from four initial losses to ultimately win the championship.
Questions have been raised regarding Pandya's strategic decisions during the matches, including his utilisation of Jasprit Bumrah and the batting order involving Tim David. These choices have fueled debates among fans and analysts alike, contributing to the heightened scrutiny of his captaincy.
The transition in leadership has not been warmly received by all of MI's ardent fan base, evidenced by chants favoring Rohit Sharma during a recent match. Sharma himself intervened, appealing to the crowd to refrain from jeering at Pandya.
Looking ahead, the Mumbai Indians are set to confront the Delhi Capitals at home in their upcoming match on Sunday, presenting an opportunity for Pandya and his team to turn the tide in this season's IPL campaign.
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(With PTI inputs)