Cricket

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has opened up about the profound impact fatherhood has had on his life and perspective. Since becoming a father, Pandya has experienced a shift in his priorities and a newfound sense of calmness."My cricket didn't change much, but as a person, it changed my point of view towards life," Pandya said. "Perspective and priorities have changed, and it brought a lot of calmness inside me."Pandya's transformation as a father has been evident in his approach to the game. Despite facing criticism for his form and fitness, he has remained focused and determined. His inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad is a testament to his resilience and the belief that selectors have in his abilities.India captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have expressed confidence in Pandya's ability to regain his form and play a crucial role in the upcoming World Cup. Agarkar noted that Pandya's fitness and versatility give the team balance and options.Pandya's journey as a father began in 2020 when he welcomed his son, Agastya, with actress Natasa Stankovic. The experience has brought him immense joy and fulfillment."Getting married, becoming a father, it's been very special," Pandya said. "At the end of the day, you know that when you go back to your family and loved ones, they are always there for you."Pandya's transformation as a father is a reminder of the power of family and the importance of finding balance in life. His story serves as an inspiration to others who are navigating the challenges and rewards of parenthood.

Mumbai Indians' (MI) dismal performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has raised concerns about the team's leadership under captain Hardik Pandya. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been vocal in his criticism of Pandya's tactics, suggesting a lack of respect for the captain in the dressing room.After MI's loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Pathan questioned Pandya's decision to give the ball to Naman Dhir when KKR were struggling at 57/5. He argued that this allowed KKR to rebuild their innings through Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey, who was playing his first game of the season."Mumbai Indians' story ends here," Pathan said in a viral video. "This team was so good on paper, but it wasn't managed. The questions that were raised on Hardik Pandya's captaincy were absolutely right."Pathan further suggested that the MI players do not respect Pandya as captain, which has contributed to the team's struggles. "Captaincy has a big impact in the game," he said. "Mumbai Indians don't look like a united team, and management needs to consider this. Players need to respect and accept the captain, and we didn't see that on-field."KKR's win helped them retain their second position in the table, while MI remained at the 9th spot. However, MI still has a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs if they win their remaining three matches and other results go their way.Pathan's criticism of Pandya's captaincy has sparked a debate about the team's leadership and the reasons behind their poor performance. MI's management will need to address these concerns and find a way to improve the team's fortunes in the remaining matches of the season.

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has raised concerns over the exclusion of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh from India's 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kaneria believes that Rinku should have been included in the main squad, while Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Hardik Pandya should have been omitted due to his poor form in the ongoing IPL.Kaneria praised India's recent production of talented cricketers, citing Yashasvi Jaiswal, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Mayank Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma as examples. He emphasized that Rinku's performances in the IPL warranted his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad."I feel that Rinku should have been a part of India's T20 WC squad. If I take the ongoing IPL's performances into consideration, then Hardik Pandya should have been the one to miss out. He hasn't shown consistency at all," Kaneria said in an interview with Sports Now.Kaneria suggested that Shivam Dube, who has been in good form for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), would have been a better choice than Pandya. He believes that a combination of Dube and Rinku would have strengthened India's lower order.Meanwhile, Rinku had a disappointing outing in his first game since the T20 World Cup omission. In the match between KKR and MI, he scored only nine runs off eight balls before being dismissed by Piyush Chawla. Despite Rinku's poor performance, KKR defeated MI by 24 runs at the Wankhede Stadium.KKR's victory was their first at the Wankhede ground in 12 years and their seventh from 10 games this season. MI, on the other hand, slumped to ninth position in the 10-team competition after their eighth loss in 11 games. KKR is currently placed second and is well-positioned to make it to the play-offs.

Mumbai Indians' dismal IPL 2024 campaign continued with an eighth defeat in 11 matches, this time at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders by 24 runs. The loss marked MI's first against KKR at the Wankhede Stadium in 12 years and raised questions about captain Hardik Pandya's leadership.KKR posted 169 runs on the board, thanks to Venkatesh Iyer's 70 and Manish Pandey's 42. Despite having KKR reeling at 57/5, MI's bowling faltered, allowing Iyer and Pandey to form a crucial partnership.Former India pacer Irfan Pathan criticized Pandya's captaincy, particularly his decision to give Naman Dhir three consecutive overs instead of bringing on his main bowlers. Pathan argued that this allowed KKR to recover and reach a competitive total.Mitchell Starc, the most expensive player in IPL history, finally justified his price tag with match-winning figures of 4/33. Mumbai's batting collapsed for 145 in 18.5 overs, despite Suryakumar Yadav's 56.KKR's victory propelled them to second place in the points table, while MI's playoff hopes dwindled. Pathan emphasized the importance of captaincy and team unity, suggesting that MI lacked both under Pandya's leadership."Mumbai Indians isn't looking like a team that is playing as a unit," Pathan said. "Players need to respect the captain and also accept him appreciably, this is very important. That, I think, could not be seen on the field."

Mumbai Indians' Playoff Hopes Dwindle Despite Captain's Vow to Fight OnMumbai Indians' quest for a sixth Indian Premier League (IPL) title appears increasingly elusive as the team continues to struggle in the 2024 season. Despite having five matches remaining, the five-time champions find themselves in a precarious position, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.During the toss against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged the team's challenging campaign but expressed his determination to keep fighting. "It's always about playing for pride," Pandya said. "It looks quite tough for us, but at the same time, we want to play good cricket. It feels good to be back home."Mumbai Indians have managed only three wins from their first 10 matches, leaving them second-to-last on the points table. Even if they were to win all their remaining games, they would only reach 16 points, which is unlikely to be enough to challenge the top teams.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma before the season, has endured a difficult campaign, struggling to make an impact with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has been hampered by a long injury layoff and has yet to find his rhythm in the IPL.The team's batting has also been inconsistent, with only Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan showing any signs of form. The bowling attack has also been underwhelming, with Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer still sidelined by injuries.Despite the setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic that the team can turn things around. "We want to play good cricket," he said. "We have a good track record, and we want to keep playing for pride."However, the odds are stacked against Mumbai Indians, and their playoff hopes appear to be fading with each passing match. The team will need to produce a remarkable turnaround in their remaining games to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Former Indian fast bowler Sreesanth and ex-Australian all-rounder Tom Moody have expressed their support for Hardik Pandya's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, highlighting his potential to turn the tide of matches with his dynamic contributions.Sreesanth, known for his expertise in outswing bowling, backed Pandya's selection, citing his past performances for the national team. "We have seen what he can do on the field... The way he's been batting and the way he's been bowling, for the country, he even led the country in one series and we won," Sreesanth remarked during a discussion on Star Sports.Pandya's selection came under scrutiny due to a dip in form preceding the IPL 2024, but his timely recovery from an ankle injury and subsequent appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain garnered attention. Despite concerns, Sreesanth remained confident in Pandya's ability to deliver on the big stage."So, it's one good thing that Hardik Pandya comes in and bats, especially when he's chasing and Virat Kohli is on the other side, I think the combination they create is great," Sreesanth said.Addressing Pandya's bowling prowess, Sreesanth suggested his utility with both the new ball and in pressure situations, particularly against formidable opponents like Pakistan. "Hardik can take the new ball or the old ball, especially against Pakistan, but it's not only against Pakistan, we are going to play a lot of different teams," Sreesanth added.Tom Moody echoed Sreesanth's sentiments, stressing Pandya's unique skill set and indispensable role in the Indian squad. "Name me three other people who can do what Hardik Pandya is doing. That's the bottom line," Moody emphasized, underlining the scarcity of genuine all-rounders of Pandya's caliber in Indian cricket.Moody lauded the selectors' decision to persist with Pandya, recognizing his significance in maintaining team balance. "I think he stands head and shoulders above anyone who is competing for that particular role. I think (chief selector) Ajit Agarkar has recognized that that is the case and we have to give him a longer rope with regards to his recovery, with regards to his form, and everything else, because he is a very precious commodity in this country," Moody affirmed, advocating for patience regarding Pandya's recovery and form.Furthermore, Moody commended the selection of Shivam Dube, emphasizing the importance of Dube's bowling preparations to ensure readiness for potential match scenarios. "Even though he might not have to bowl in a match situation, he's got the bowling, so it's not like he hasn't bowled for two months and then suddenly called upon to bowl in a World Cup tournament. So, he'll be up and ready physically for the opportunity. So, to me Shivam Dube is a smart pick," Moody said.With the T20 World Cup looming in the USA and the West Indies, the backing of experienced campaigners like Sreesanth and Moody bolsters confidence in the selectors' decisions and affirms the squad's potential to excel on the global stage.

India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad has raised concerns about the team's pace bowling capabilities. Despite the presence of Jasprit Bumrah, India lacks a consistent and in-form pacer. Hardik Pandya's underwhelming performances in the ongoing IPL have further dampened expectations.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his surprise at the omission of T Natarajan from the squad. Gavaskar praised Natarajan's impressive performances in the IPL, suggesting that he could have been a valuable addition to the team."I was thinking more like T Natarajan, the left-arm pacer bowler. He has been bowling extremely well. So, I thought maybe he could have been in the team," Gavaskar said.However, Gavaskar expressed confidence in the experience of the selected seam bowlers. "But that's okay. I think the seam bowlers that they have got, they all have experience. So no problem with that," he added.Another talking point has been the retention of Hardik Pandya as vice-captain despite his struggles in the IPL. Pandya has scored only 197 runs and taken just four wickets in 10 games.Gavaskar believes that Pandya will perform differently when playing for India. "There's a big difference playing in the IPL and playing for your country. Playing for your country brings out something different in every player and Hardik Pandya will be a different player," he said."He's had to face a lot of issues in this particular tournament (IPL), he's handled it quite well. When he goes overseas and has to play for India, I think he will be in a completely different frame of mind."Gavaskar also expressed optimism about India's chances of winning the World Cup. "They are title contenders, without a question. At the international level, sometimes you need a bit of luck and if this Indian team has just that little bit of luck, then I'm very confident that after 2007 (triumph), the T20 World Cup will come back to India."He believes that the players will be well-prepared for the tournament due to their extensive experience in the IPL. "They'll go with good rhythm (following the IPL); the bowlers would have bowled a fair bit of overs, the batters will have enough time out in the middle, some of them would have scored 80s, 90s 100s."

India's quest for T20 World Cup glory continues as they prepare for the 2024 edition in the USA and West Indies. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has named a 15-member squad, hoping to end India's decade-long ICC trophy drought.Rohit Sharma will lead the charge as captain, with Hardik Pandya as his deputy. The squad boasts a mix of experience and youth, with eight players from the 2022 T20 WC squad making the cut.Rohit Sharma, despite a slow start to 2023, has regained his form in IPL 2024, scoring 315 runs at a strike rate of 158.29. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, has struggled with injuries and form, but remains a key all-rounder.Explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has impressed since his T20I debut in 2023, amassing 502 runs at a strike rate of 161.93. Virat Kohli, India's all-time leading T20I run-scorer, has also regained his touch, scoring 500 runs in IPL 2024.Suryakumar Yadav, the world's No.1 T20I batter, is the backbone of India's batting lineup. He has smashed 466 T20I runs since IPL 2023 at a strike rate of 158.Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has made a strong comeback after a serious car crash, scoring 398 runs in IPL 2024. Sanju Samson, another wicketkeeper-batter, has also impressed with 385 runs in nine matches.Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj complete the squad.India will face stiff competition in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but they will be determined to bring home the trophy and end their ICC drought.

Hardik Pandya's appointment as vice-captain of the Indian T20 World Cup squad has sparked both praise and criticism. Former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad has defended the decision, asserting that Hardik is the best fast-bowling all-rounder in the country.Despite recent struggles with form in the IPL, Prasad believes Hardik's leadership qualities and all-round abilities make him an ideal choice for the vice-captaincy. He pointed out that Hardik has previously captained the Indian team in Rohit Sharma's absence.Prasad acknowledged Hardik's recent form slump but attributed it to the change in leadership at Mumbai Indians. He expressed confidence that Hardik will regain his form before the World Cup."Once he puts on the Indian jersey, he can leave his IPL form behind," Prasad said. "Hardik Pandya is the best fast bowling all-rounder in the country now, no matter what the pundits say."Hardik's return from injury has been underwhelming, with poor performances in the IPL. However, Prasad believes that Hardik will bounce back and play a key role in India's World Cup campaign."I think Hardik will come out of it," Prasad said. "In the Indian team, his role will change. He will not have to worry about role clarity."Prasad's comments come amid growing speculation about Hardik's place in the Indian team. Some critics have questioned his form and leadership abilities, while others have defended his selection.Ultimately, the decision of whether Hardik will justify his vice-captaincy will depend on his performances in the lead-up to and during the World Cup. If he can regain his form and provide the leadership that the team needs, he will prove to be a valuable asset to India's chances of success.