‘Wrong decision as captain, wrong decision as batter’ – Irfan Pathan slams Hardik Pandya after MI’s record defeat to CSK

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan did not hold back in his assessment of Hardik Pandya following Mumbai Indians’ crushing 103-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.

Pathan questioned Mumbai’s decision-making at the toss and highlighted how the call to chase backfired on a surface that offered some assistance to the bowlers.

“Before the match started, before the toss, I told you a figure that happened in the last 6 T20s: The team that batted (first) 4 times has won, but you want to chase after winning the toss. I also said that it is very difficult for you to decide to win the toss and then say that we will bat first,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“It is a difficult task. It was a difficult task for Mumbai, but you have to show courage. And there was a slight turn, a slight help, and Mumbai’s batting was completely exposed,” he added.

Pathan also raised concerns over the on-field decisions made by Pandya during the game, particularly the move to hand the ball to an inexperienced bowler at a crucial juncture against a well-set batter.

“See, in the 15th or 16th over, you bring in a young bowler like Kris Bhagat, who is playing his second match, against Sanju Samson, who is completely set. It was a wrong decision. You give the last over to him. Sanju Samson is in front. Not the right decisions. You have to take responsibility. You have to do better as a captain,” he continued.

The former cricketer further pointed out technical flaws in Pandya’s batting, suggesting that the all-rounder has struggled to find consistency with the bat in recent times.

“As a batter too, Hardik made a wrong call. He was definitely under pressure, but you are also looking for a form as a batsman. Since 2023, Hardik has not hit an even half century. You have to use your feet a little. I have said this many times, if there is a little help on the pitch, he has to use his feet. If he uses his feet, he will reach the ball. The pitch is very fast, the ball comes to the ball, then there is no problem.”

“Because he doesn’t run his feet much. Earlier his stance was also different. Earlier his stance was different, now it has become wider. That’s why you get a good balance. That’s why he plays very well on pace. The pitch on which there is pace. Where there is a little grip, a little help. We have seen it in the World Cup as well. He gets out there. He will have to work on that a little,” he further added.

Pathan concluded by stating that Pandya could have delivered a better performance overall, especially given Mumbai’s inconsistent run this season.

“But overall, the way he played the game, he could have done much better. Mumbai has been left behind a lot. In front of Gujarat, the better victory, the bigger defeat in front of Chennai,” he concluded.

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The five-time champions, MI are currently sitting at the eighth position in the points table after this loss. On the other hand, CSK climbed up to the fifth position.