Mumbai Indians (MI) will conclude their disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a home fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. The five-time champions have endured a dismal season, winning only four of their 13 matches, and will be eager to end on a high note.
One of the major talking points of MI's struggles has been the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder took over the reins from Rohit Sharma ahead of the season but has failed to replicate the success he enjoyed with Gujarat Titans in 2022. Pandya has led MI to just four wins in 13 matches, resulting in the team's elimination from playoff contention.
Ahead of Friday's match, Pandya reflected on his leadership style. "My captaincy is simple," he said. "It's just Hardik Pandya playing with 10 other of his teammates. The mantra is simple. Looking after the players, you give them the confidence, you give them the belief, you give them the love. They will go out and give more than 100 percent and that's something I ask for."
On a personal level, Pandya has also had a forgettable IPL. The India vice-captain has scored only 200 runs in 12 innings at an average of just 18.18. He has bowled in 11 matches, taking 11 wickets with a best of 3 for 31.
"I am not someone who is result-oriented, but I am definitely approach-oriented," Pandya said. "I see what kind of approach they (players) are showing, and if I feel that is suiting the team, I think somewhere down the line it helps the team..."
While MI's season is effectively over, LSG still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs. However, they will need to win their final game and hope for other results to go their way.
Tags: #MumbaiIndians, #HardikPandya, #LucknowSuperGiants, #IPL2023, #Cricket
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