Cricket

Hardik Pandya's Golden Duck Disappoints in First Game as India T20 Vice-CaptainMumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya's disappointing IPL season continued on Tuesday as he fell for a golden duck in his first game after being named India's vice-captain for the T20 World Cup.Pandya, who was appointed Rohit Sharma's deputy for the upcoming cricketing extravaganza in the Americas, failed to make an impact against Lucknow Super Giants. He was caught behind the stumps by KL Rahul off LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, leaving MI reeling at 28 for 4 at the end of the Powerplay.The 30-year-old's dismissal highlighted his struggles in the ongoing IPL, where he has underperformed with both bat and ball. In nine matches so far, Pandya has scored a meager 197 runs, including 10 sixes, and taken only four wickets at an economy of 11.95.Pandya's poor form has contributed to MI's dismal performance this season. Under his leadership, the team has managed only three wins and six losses in nine matches, leaving them languishing at the ninth spot on the points table.The all-rounder's appointment as MI captain was met with controversy, with many questioning his experience and leadership abilities. His struggles on the field have further fueled criticism, raising concerns about his suitability for the role.As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, Pandya's poor form is a cause for concern. The vice-captaincy is a significant responsibility, and his performances in the IPL have not inspired confidence.Pandya will need to rediscover his form and prove his worthiness for the role if he wants to lead India to success in the upcoming tournament.

Hardik Pandya's return to cricket after an ankle injury has been underwhelming, with both his bowling and batting performances falling short of expectations. Amidst the controversy surrounding his appointment as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya's future in the Indian T20 World Cup squad remains uncertain.Ahead of Mumbai Indians' match against Lucknow Super Giants, Pandya shared his insights on the "art of finishing" matches, drawing an analogy to food presentation. He emphasized the importance of a strong finish, regardless of how well the game has been played up to that point."If you go to a fancy restaurant and they present you something, the taste might be amazing; but if they don't add the finishing touch (to presentation), it does not add to the charm to the dish, no matter how good it is, because the look of it matters a lot," said Pandya."I think finishing a game is a similar thing. No matter how close you have come, how well you have poised the game, how strong (position) you are in, if you don't get the finishing kick or finishing touch from your lower-order (batsmen) or finishers, that dish does not look complete."Pandya's comments highlight the crucial role of finishers in cricket, who can turn a close game into a comfortable victory. Mumbai Indians, currently ninth in the IPL standings, will need to rely on their finishers to secure wins in their remaining matches and stay in contention for a playoff spot.

The Indian cricket team's selection committee is set to meet in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to finalize the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The meeting will be attended by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and will focus on two key issues: Hardik Pandya's inclusion and the backup wicketkeeper's role.Pandya's form as a fast-bowling all-rounder has been a concern, but the lack of suitable replacements makes him a likely pick. However, the backup wicketkeeper's position is up for grabs.Sanju Samson and KL Rahul have been the frontrunners for the role, but recent developments have thrown a spanner in the works. Samson has been in excellent form for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, but his batting position at No. 3 may not guarantee him a place in the Indian team.Rahul, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer for India in T20Is, but his approach in the format has been criticized as archaic. Additionally, the team management is reportedly seeking a wicketkeeper who can fit into the lower order.This has brought Rajasthan Royals' Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma back into contention. Jurel has not had much opportunity to keep wickets, but he scored a fifty in the last game in Lucknow. Sharma, on the other hand, is in poor form.The Indian Express reports that Samson is no longer a sure-shot pick for the backup wicketkeeper's role, with Jurel and Sharma now in the mix. The selection committee will have a tough decision to make, as all three players have their strengths and weaknesses.

The Indian cricket team's selection for the T20 World Cup 2024 is a complex task for the BCCI and team management. While most players are likely to be retained, several backup roles remain fiercely contested.Captain Rohit Sharma faces two crucial decisions: whether to include a fourth specialist pacer alongside Hardik Pandya and whether to consider Shubman Gill. Hardik Pandya's vice-captaincy is also under scrutiny, with Rishabh Pant emerging as a potential contender.Yuzvendra Chahal, despite being the IPL's leading wicket-taker, may be overlooked in favor of Kuldeep Yadav as the primary spinner. Axar Patel is expected to edge out Ravi Bishnoi for the second spinner's spot.The top order is likely to feature Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order will comprise Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh could be included as an all-rounder, while Sanju Samson or KL Rahul will compete for the second wicketkeeper's role.Hardik Pandya's recent performances for Mumbai Indians have raised concerns, with the all-rounder scoring only 197 runs and taking four wickets at a high economy rate.A recent poll conducted by NDTV Sports revealed that fans believe Hardik Pandya should not be included in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.

Rishabh Pant's impressive return to form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has put him in contention to become India's vice-captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, ahead of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.Pant, who has been out of action since a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, has shown remarkable resilience and skill in his comeback. In contrast, Pandya has struggled both as a batter and bowler in the ongoing IPL, raising questions about his leadership abilities.According to a report by Cricbuzz, Pant's current form gives him an edge over Pandya in the race to become Rohit Sharma's deputy. The national selectors are expected to meet on May 1 to consider re-appointing Pant as vice-captain, a position he held before his injury hiatus.Pant has previously captained India in the five-match T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. He is also expected to be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup in June.Other positions in the Indian squad for the World Cup are also up for grabs. Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are vying for the second wicket-keeper spot, while Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh are in contention for all-rounder roles.The top order is likely to consist of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order will feature Pant, Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja.Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the specialist spinner, while Axar Patel may edge out Ravi Bishnoi for the other spinner's position. Veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, despite his impressive performance for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, may once again miss out on selection.

Hardik Pandya's struggles as Mumbai Indians skipper have raised questions about his place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The all-rounder has endured a disappointing IPL season, with poor bowling figures, limited runs with the bat, and subpar leadership. Mumbai Indians' dismal performance, winning only three of their nine matches, has further fueled criticism.However, former pacer Varun Aaron believes that Pandya remains a key contender for India's T20 World Cup squad, ahead of Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube. Aaron attributes Pandya's struggles to his return to Mumbai Indians, which has placed immense pressure on him."Hardik is a proven match winner," Aaron said. "He's not at his best right now, but he's taking on a lot of pressure. He must be thinking, 'Why did I come here?'"Aaron believes that Pandya's move to Mumbai Indians was a mistake that has affected his performance. "He had a really good run at the Gujarat Titans," Aaron added. "Once you remove him from that pressure, he will shine."In nine matches for Mumbai Indians, Pandya has scored 197 runs at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of 151.53. On the bowling front, he has taken only four wickets and leaked runs at an economy of close to 12 RPO.Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians skipper ahead of the 2024 season. Sharma, a five-time title winner, has been a highly successful captain for the franchise.Despite Pandya's struggles, Aaron believes that he should be included in India's T20 World Cup squad. "He's a proven match winner," Aaron said. "He's got the experience and the skill. He's a big-match player."

Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians captain has sparked controversy among fans, who have expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership style. Despite being a successful player, Pandya's on-field decisions and off-field behavior have raised concerns.One of the main criticisms leveled against Pandya is his inconsistent bowling strategy. In a recent match against Delhi Capitals, he opted not to bowl Jasprit Bumrah immediately, a decision that many believe cost the team the game. Additionally, Pandya has repeatedly changed the playing XI and his own batting slot, indicating a lack of clarity and direction.Furthermore, Pandya's criticism of Tilak Varma, the team's top run-scorer, has drawn criticism. After a 10-run loss to Delhi Capitals, Pandya blamed Varma for not showing enough intent against Axar Patel. However, an analysis of the match reveals that Varma scored 14 runs off Patel's six deliveries, suggesting that Pandya's criticism may have been unwarranted.Some fans believe that Pandya's leadership style is creating a lack of unity within the team. His decision to send Tim David, an in-form batsman, to bat at No. 7 on a small ground has also been questioned.Overall, Pandya's captaincy has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans believe that he has the potential to lead the team to success, others are concerned about his decision-making and leadership skills. Only time will tell whether Pandya can turn things around and prove his critics wrong.

Mumbai Indians' struggles continued in the ongoing IPL 2024 as they suffered a sixth defeat, this time at the hands of Delhi Capitals in a thrilling encounter on Saturday. The loss has further intensified the scrutiny on skipper Hardik Pandya, who has faced criticism since taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma.Despite the team's poor form, there have been no public statements of a rift between Rohit and Hardik. However, during Saturday's match, an unusual role reversal occurred on the field. Rohit was seen setting the field while Hardik looked on, sparking speculation about the dynamics within the team.Coming to the match, Delhi Capitals posted a formidable 257/4, thanks to a blistering half-century from Jake Fraser-McGurk. Rasikh Salam Dar and Mukesh Kumar then starred with the ball for Delhi, claiming three wickets each to secure the victory.After the match, Hardik Pandya acknowledged the team's shortcomings. "We could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs," he said. "The left-handers could have probably gone after Axar a little bit."Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant praised Fraser-McGurk's performance. "He's been amazing since the first day," Pant said. "This is what you want from a younger player."Pant also expressed confidence in his team's chances of making the playoffs. "The chances are increasing day by day, but we are taking it one game at a time," he said.The defeat leaves Mumbai Indians languishing at the bottom of the table, while Delhi Capitals move up to third place. The two teams will face off again on May 10 in a crucial match that could have significant implications for their playoff hopes.

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has raised concerns about the impact player rule, expressing that it is making it increasingly difficult for teams to defend high totals. This comes after Delhi Capitals' back-to-back high-scoring victories in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where chasing teams Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians came close to pulling off improbable wins.In their match against Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals posted a mammoth 257 for 4, their highest ever IPL total. However, despite some explosive hitting from Tilak Varma (63 off 32), Mumbai Indians managed to reach 247 for 9, falling just 10 runs short."We were pretty happy with 250 on the board, but with the impact sub, it is getting difficult each and every day," Pant said after the match.To counter the threat of Mumbai Indians' batters, Pant resorted to standing up to the stumps against medium pacers Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Dar. "Definitely, I can keep up to the stumps, but the bowler also should be confident... with batters like Tim David walking down, and today it worked," he explained.Pant also praised Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has impressed with his aggressive batting in the IPL. "He has been amazing since the first day, and this is what you want from a younger player. He's getting better and better with each game," Pant said.Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged his team's lack of game awareness, particularly in not attacking left-arm spinner Axar Patel more aggressively. "We could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs. The left-handers could have probably gone after Axar a little bit. It's something we missed out in terms of game awareness," Pandya said.He also expressed admiration for Fraser-McGurk's batting, saying, "It was quite amazing the way Fraser-McGurk batted. He took calculated risks, he played the field really well. It shows the fearlessness of youth."