IPL 2024: ‘Acting like he’s so happy,’ Kevin Pietersen on Hardik Pandya amid MI captaincy struggles
IPL 2024: Pietersen believes Pandya is masking his feelings by wearing a smile constantly
Former England cricketer is of the view that Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is masking his feelings by wearing a smily constantly to cope with the barrage of criticism coming his way. The veteran player said Pandya was 'smiling too much', acting like 'he was happy' when the truth was somewhat different.
Pandya-led MI succumbed in the season's first El Clasico against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 20 runs where certain decisions taken bythe new captain came under heavy scrutiny.
"I actually think, with Hardik Pandya, everything away from the game is affecting him so much. He's smiling too much when he does the toss. He's trying to act like he is so happy. He is not happy. I have been there. I have been in the firing line. And I can tell you now, it affects you. If what's happening to Hardik Pandya," said Pietersen.
Ever since assuming the captaincy role at MI after a shock move from Gujarat Titans (GT), Pandya has been subjected to constant boos from the fans, including the home crowd at Wankhede.
"The boos we have been hearing just now and I know they are happy to see former CSK captain, the lion smacking him all over the park, it hurts you. Because he has emotions. And he is an Indian player and he doesn't want to be treated like this. So, when this is happening, it's affecting him, it's affecting his cricket and something needs to happen," Pietersen added.
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The cricketer-turned-commentator also slammed Pandya for not deviating from Plan A when Shivam Dube was at the crease. Pandya did not bring any of the spinners against Dube as the match-ups favoured the left-hand batter. However, Pietersen quizzed if the rigidity shown by Pandya ultimately cost MI the match.
"What I saw this evening wasn't good enough. I saw a captain that had plan A from a team meeting that was five hours ago and a captain that didn't want to go to plan B when he should have gone to plan B. Like how on this Earth have you not bowled a spinner when your seamers are going for 20. Brian Lara said can we please bowl a spinner? Somebody needs to bowl here. You need to change the pace of the game," Pietersen said on Star Sports.
Pandya was also responsible for conceding 26runs in the final over where MS Dhoni smashed a hattrick of sixes to take CSK above the 200-run mark.
(With inputs from agencies)