Former England players call-out Hardik Pandya for disrespecting Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians (MI) aren’t in the running for a place in the playoffs, but the former IPL champions continue to make the headlines. Hardik Pandya, their regular skipper, was called out by former English players for disrespecting the side after his rumoured social media antics. 

After MI’s loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 32-year-old had unfollowed his current side. Just when social media was wondering if the relationship between the player and his franchise was fractured, Pandya started following the Men in Blue and Gold once more. 

This act didn’t sit well with former England captains Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan, who called out the player over the move, speaking on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast. Cook said, “That’s (Hardik-MI controversy) big disrespect in current times, isn’t it? Vaughan termed the move a low blow. 

England's Ashes-winning skipper thrashes Mumbai’s IPL showing 

During the course of the show, former Ashes-winning skipper Vaughan said that the showing by MI this year was the ‘worst performance’. The Yorkshireman also spoke about Hardik’s return from the Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 season and how the side has failed to do well despite having some big names. 

“Mumbai brought him (Hardik) from Gujarat, where he had won the title, but the results this year have been disappointing. With a team that has talented players like Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma, this performance has to be the worst by any side in the history of the IPL.”

Sunil Gavaskar asks former winners to test out young talent

Meanwhile, a former Indian batting legend has asked the Men in Blue and Gold’s team management to try out a few young players in the final few games of the season. So far, only Danish Malewar has had a chance to play a few matches. Pacer Mohammed Izhar is still warming the benches and could be given a chance with just three games left. 

Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports, said, “The format can see a lot of ups and downs; the assessment can be done only after the season ends. According to me, the senior players have been given plenty of chances. With just a few games left, it is the right time to blood the youngsters. It will also give the team a fair chance to see if these players can handle pressure.”