Cricket

Hardik Pandya's struggles as captain of the Mumbai Indians have raised concerns about his mental well-being, according to former India star Robin Uthappa. Uthappa believes that the constant criticism and mockery Pandya has faced has taken a toll on his mental health."The mocking, trolling, the memes about his fitness. You don't think it hurts him? It hurts him. It hurts any human being. How many people actually know the reality of it? Hardik is dealing with mental health issues, for sure," Uthappa said on the Ranveer Show.Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram also expressed concern about Pandya's situation. Akram believes that the relentless criticism Pandya has faced in India is a problem that needs to be addressed."This is the problem in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We never forget. We tell our kids that when Pandya's kid is born, you have to remind him why he became captain 20 years ago. We don't move on," Akram said on Sportskeeda.Akram urged fans to be more supportive of Pandya, who he believes is still capable of leading Mumbai Indians to success."I think fans need to be a little calm. At the end of the day, he is your player. He plays for Mumbai Indians, and he is the one who can make you win. They still can qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. There is no point booing your own player. You can criticize a little bit, but move on," Akram said.Regarding the captaincy change in Mumbai Indians, Akram said: "In franchise cricket, such things happen. Look at how CSK took the captaincy decision for the long run, and maybe, even they (MI) had the same idea. This was not a personal decision, but in my view, Rohit Sharma should have continued as captain for one more year. Perhaps, next year, Hardik Pandya could have been the captain."

Hardik Pandya, the former captain of the Mumbai Indians, has faced intense criticism from fans since the start of the IPL 2024. His replacement of Rohit Sharma as captain has been met with disapproval, and he has been booed by fans at every appearance.The inconsistent start of MI has only added to Pandya's woes. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has spoken out about Pandya's ordeal, expressing concern about his mental health."He is a guy who has got the calibre and potential to be an all-time great for the Indian team," Uthappa said. "But he has been let go by the team that discovered him, and he has had to move to another franchise. He must have felt a little bad about that."Uthappa also highlighted the impact of social media trolling on Pandya. "The mocking, trolling, and memes about his fitness, you don't think it hurts him? It hurts him. It hurts any human being," he said.Uthappa believes that Pandya is right to prioritize his career. "It's our job, yes it's passion too, but it's what puts the food on the table for me," he said. "My job is on display for you to criticize. But we need to exercise empathy and dignity towards others, especially when they are going through a tough time."Uthappa's comments have sparked a debate about the treatment of athletes by fans. He has urged Indians to be more supportive and understanding, especially when their teams are not performing well.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced that he is taking a break from cricket due to poor form and a hip strain. The 35-year-old has struggled in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, scoring only 32 runs in six innings with an average of 5.33.Maxwell revealed his decision in an appearance on ESPN's 'Around the Wicket' show, stating that the "physical and mental toll probably just wore me down a little bit." He also disclosed that he has been dealing with a hip injury, which has further contributed to his struggles."I've actually got a little bit of a hip strain so I've got a few more days off and during recovery," Maxwell said. "So I've got a little period here where I'm still training, still trying to get myself right. If there is a spot that becomes available, I'll obviously put my hand up and take it."Maxwell emphasized that his return to the team is not based on a fixed timeline. "It's not one of those things where I've set a date that I'll be out for three games then I'll come back whenever I'm ready. That's not how it works. I haven't been at a level that's good enough to warrant a spot on the side this year," he said.Despite his struggles in the IPL, Maxwell remains a highly sought-after player in T20 cricket. He has signed a deal to play for Washington Freedom in the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament, which is scheduled to begin on July 4.Maxwell expressed his excitement about joining MLC, saying, "I've been speaking to Ricky Ponting and a few other players a fair bit over the last little period and certainly extremely excited to get stuck in." He added, "It's a tournament that I watched from afar last year and was extremely excited about hopefully playing this tournament one day and luckily enough the timings have aligned this year."Maxwell's decision to take a break from cricket is a reminder of the mental and physical challenges that athletes face in high-pressure environments. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing well-being and taking time to recover when necessary.

Meg Lanning, Australia's legendary women's cricket captain, has revealed the harrowing toll that her relentless pursuit of excellence took on her mental and physical health, ultimately forcing her to retire at the age of 31.Lanning's decision to step away from the game shocked the cricket world, but her recent disclosure sheds light on the hidden struggles she endured. After winning the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal, Lanning took a six-month mental health break, working in a coffee shop to escape the pressures of international cricket.Her struggles stemmed from a combination of depression and an unhealthy obsession with exercise and nutrition. Lanning's weight plummeted to 57kg from 64kg as she over-exercised and under-fueled her body. The physical toll manifested in significant weight loss, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating.Lanning's mental health also deteriorated, leading to feelings of isolation and insecurity. She became increasingly withdrawn from friends and family, and her obsessive behavior extended to her training regimen. Lanning would run up to 90km a week, often without taking breaks or eating properly.The former skipper admitted that she felt out of control and uncertain about her future beyond cricket. This anxiety fueled her obsessive behavior, which she initially saw as a coping mechanism. However, it soon spiraled into a dangerous cycle that threatened her well-being.Lanning's on-field performance remained unaffected despite her struggles, but she realized that she was operating on autopilot. The rigors of international cricket and the constant pressure to perform had become too much for her to bear.Since retiring, Lanning has found a healthier balance in her life. She remains involved in cricket but has stepped away from the intense demands of international touring. Lanning's story serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports and the need for athletes to prioritize their well-being.

Glenn Maxwell, the Australian all-rounder, has decided to take a break from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to prioritize his physical and mental well-being. The decision came after Maxwell requested the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) management to replace him for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.Maxwell's struggles in IPL 2024 have been evident, with the player scoring only 32 runs in six innings at an average of 5.33. Despite speculations of a thumb injury, Maxwell clarified that it was not the reason for his absence."It was an easy decision for me," Maxwell said after RCB's sixth defeat in seven matches. "I felt it was time to give someone else a chance. I've been in this situation before, and I think it's better to take a break now and get my body and mind right."Maxwell acknowledged the team's deficiency in the powerplay, an area where he has excelled in recent seasons. "I wasn't contributing positively with the bat, and I felt it was the right time to give someone else an opportunity," he explained.Despite his recent struggles, Maxwell entered IPL 2024 in impressive form, having scored 552 runs in 17 T20s since November. However, a first-ball duck against Chennai Super Kings set the tone for his disappointing campaign."T20 cricket can be fickle," Maxwell said. "I've made good decisions, but I've still found ways to get out. It can snowball, and you can start trying too hard."The SRH game, which turned out to be a high-scoring affair, left Maxwell with a sense of regret. "I realized it was probably a bad game to miss," he said with a smile. "But I needed the physical and mental break to give myself the right to play professional cricket."Maxwell's decision echoes a similar situation he faced in IPL 2020, where he managed only 108 runs in 11 innings. However, he emphasized that the circumstances were different this time."Back then, I was bowling well and playing more as a spinner," Maxwell said. "Here, I've been working on taking ownership, but the runs haven't come. I've had a great six months leading into this tournament, so it's frustrating. But I'm confident I can finish well if I get another opportunity."

Jason Roy, the explosive English opener, has opted out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to prioritize his mental and physical well-being. Roy, who joined KKR in 2023 as an injury replacement, had a successful stint with the franchise, scoring 285 runs at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 151.59. However, he withdrew from this season's IPL at the start of March, citing personal reasons.Roy's decision to sit out the IPL stems from a challenging 18 months. After missing out on selection for England's T20 World Cup squad in 2022 and the 50-over World Cup squad in 2023, he went undrafted for this year's Hundred. Last May, he terminated his ECB incremental contract to play in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC).The taxing schedule of the past few months, coupled with a desire to spend quality time with his family, led Roy to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. "Missing this year's IPL was a huge decision," Roy said. "I felt like I owed KKR a huge amount, but I had to put myself first, you know, just mindset and body."Roy's withdrawal is also informed by a period two years ago when he found himself "in a dark place," which resulted in him taking an indefinite break from the game and missing IPL 2022 with Gujarat Titans. "I went through an extremely bad patch with my mindset," he said. "I was in a shocking headspace, and I ended up shooting myself in the foot."Since then, Roy has prioritized his mental health and has learned to listen to his body and mind. "It's nothing to do with anyone else," he said. "I've got a young family, I'm a grown man, and I've made the decision off the back of a lot of thoughts."Roy's decision to prioritize his well-being is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a courageous step that will hopefully inspire others to seek help when they need it.

Adam Zampa, Australia's premier leg-spinner, has opted out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to prioritize his mental and physical well-being ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Zampa, who was set to join Rajasthan Royals, withdrew on the eve of the season after a grueling 12 months that included the ODI World Cup, T20I series against India, and the Big Bash League (BBL)."I'm completely drained from 2023," Zampa explained on the Willow Talk podcast. "I did the full IPL last year, and the World Cup was three months in India as well."Despite his initial intentions to play in the IPL, Zampa realized he couldn't offer his best to the Royals. "I felt like I just couldn't really offer the Rajasthan Royals the best version of myself," he said.Another factor in Zampa's decision was the uncertainty surrounding his playing time. With Indian spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin in the Royals' squad, Zampa wasn't sure how many games he would get."It came down to my decision being I probably need to put my body and my mental health first," he said. "I've got a young family, and it's not easy to spend nine weeks in India."Zampa's absence from the IPL is a significant blow to the Royals, but it's a necessary step for the 30-year-old as he looks to maintain his peak form for the T20 World Cup."Looking forward to the World Cup, that's what's more important to me, that's for sure," Zampa said.Zampa will be a key figure in Australia's quest to win the T20 World Cup and complete the trifecta of men's world titles. He is expected to form a spin partnership with Ashton Agar, who is in contention for a recall to the squad.

England batter Harry Brook has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to be with his family during their time of grief following the recent passing of his grandmother.Brook, who was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crore (USD 482,000) at the auction in December, expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Capitals. He emphasized that prioritizing his mental well-being and that of his family is paramount.The 25-year-old had previously withdrawn from England's recent five-Test series in India due to his grandmother's illness. He stated that he made the decision to leave the tour the night before the team's departure to India after being informed of her condition.Brook's absence leaves the Capitals with an overseas roster comprising David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Tristan Stubbs, Shai Hope, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Jhye Richardson. The team will be led by Rishabh Pant, who has been cleared to play as a wicketkeeper-batter after recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.Brook's decision highlights the importance of mental health and family support in the demanding world of professional sports. His statement serves as a reminder that personal well-being should always be prioritized, even when it means making difficult choices.