New Delhi, India

Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary feels Mumbai Indians (MI) will not make it to the IPL 2024 playoffs due to Hardik Pandya's poor captaincy. Hardik-led MI lost to table-toppers Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 38 on Monday evening (April 22), in Jaipur, which became their fifth loss in eight games. MI are languishing at the seventh spot and need to win all their remaining six games to stand a chance to progress ahead.

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Speaking on Cricbuzz, Tiwary slammed Hardik for not using Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball during MI's 180-run defence versus Rajasthan. On air, former English cricketer-turned-commentator Kevin Pietersen also slammed Hardik for not relentlessly attacking centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal by bowling Gerald Coetzee from one end. Coetzee was troubling the RR opener with his pace and short balls but Hardik didn't continue with the South African. Moreover, Hardik has failed to make any impact with bat and ball in the ongoing edition. He has struggled in most innings, barring a few, with the bat whereas only accounted for four wickets.

Also read: IPL 2024: Jaiswal thanks Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli after roaring back to form with 104* in RR vs MI tie

‘Feels like that MI players have not bought into Hardik Pandya as their captain’

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Thus, Tiwary told, "If you have Jasprit Bumrah in the line-up why will you not bowl him in the first over? Buttler came off a hundred, Jaiswal was not in the best form, you need to give your best bowler the best chance of picking a wicket. When Hardik Pandya came in, he got hit for 2 boundaries and that took the shine away from the new ball slightly, and the margin of swing reduced. Things got easier for the batter."

"I don't see MI progressing in the points table because these silly mistakes are being made," Tiwary further opined.

Tiwary concluded by saying that it feels MI have not bought into Hardik as their captain. "If this kind of captaincy continues, MI are not making the playoffs. Previously, players were with Rohit Sharma. Now it feels like that MI players have not bought into Hardik Pandya as the captain of the side," he added.

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MI will now face Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday (April 27) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.