IPL: Pandya hails MI bowlers in KKR defeat but seniors’ poor form worries fans as T20 World Cup looms
Pandya hails MI bowlers but seniors’ poor form worries fans ahead of T20 WC
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya gracefully accepted hisside’sdefeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, saying theydidn’tapply themselves batting-wise despite sitting in a comfortable position early on in the chase. Pandya said the openers laid the foundation, but with the middle-order collapse, they fell behind in the run chase. Moreover, considering the form of two T20 World Cup-bound players – Rohit Sharma and the skipper himself, it adds to the worry for Indian Cricket fans.
Mumbai bowled first after winning the toss, restricting KKR to 157 for seven in 16 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah and Piyush Chawla returning with two wickets each.
The travelling MI side got off to a flyer with Rohit and Ishan Kishan adding 65 runs inside seven overs. However, losing five wickets for 27 runs later cost MI, as they failed to pick up momentum and go for the win.
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“As a batting unit, the foundation was there, but we could not capitalise,and thatcost us.The wicket was tacky, so momentum was important, butafter that,wecouldn'tcapitalise,”Hardik said during the post-match presser.
“Their score was par, giventhe conditions, I thought the bowlers did well. When the balls returned from the boundary, it hit the cover and was wet. They did well. It seemed parbutwasa winning total.Justwant to go andenjoy,play good cricket.That'sbeen the motto from the start, but wehaven'tplayed enough good cricket,”the new captain continued.
Rohit’sform a worry for Team India
Meanwhile, Rohithasn’tlooked in his element since completing his first hundred this season against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede. Not only did he register a series of low scores, butthe fashion he got out in those games was worrying. Something similar happened against KKR when he got out, caught while playing a half-hearted sweep shot off Varun.
Considering his current form heading into the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA starting June 1, the picture looks gloomy with the question of how he will find form during the tournament.
Besides, MI captainPandya’soverall performance has been below par this season. In 13 matches played, Pandya has scored just 200 runs at a strike rate of under 145, with 46 being his best. With the ball in hand, Pandya has picked 11 wickets at an economy of over ten, sending worrying signs to the Indian Team fans.
