5 Times When Irfan Pathan Criticized Hardik Pandya: Hardik Pandya is seen struggling with poor form in IPL 2024. Neither his captaincy nor his individual performance has been good for Mumbai Indians this season. Hardik Pandya will play the role of Indian vice-captain in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Fans and cricket experts have criticized the all-rounder’s form a lot.

Former Indian veteran player Irfan Pathan is also one of those experts. Today let us tell you about those five occasions when Irfan Pathan has criticized Hardik’s captaincy and individual performance.

1. Irfan Pathan believes that BCCI should not give importance to Hardik Pandya.

Before the selection of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, Irfan Pathan had said that the Indian management should not give importance to Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder at the international level.

While talking on Star Sports Press Room, Irfan Pathan had said, ‘Indian cricket needs to make it clear that they should not give it the same priority as they have given it so far because we have still not won the World Cup.

2. According to Irfan Pathan, Hardik Pandya is the biggest weakness of Mumbai Indians.

While sharing a video on his social media, Irfan Pathan had said that Hardik Pandya is the biggest weakness of the Mumbai Indians team. He had said, ‘Mumbai Indians is still a very good team on paper but it is being managed very poorly. Especially, if Hardik Pandya is not in form as a leader, he will become a weak link for his own team. What worries me most is that it is affecting his hitting ability. This is a matter of concern – for the Indian team too.

3. Irfan Pathan held Hardik Pandya responsible for Mumbai Indians’ defeat against CSK.

In IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians had to face defeat by 20 runs against Chennai Super Kings. The major reason for this defeat was the 20th over bowled by Hardik Pandya, in which MS Dhoni hit 3 sixes.

After the match, Irfan Pathan criticized Hardik in the Star Sports press room and said, ‘MWhatever match I lost, he (Hardik Pandya) had a big role in it. Even yesterday Akash Madhwal did not bowl the last over. You need to give huge responsibility to Akash Madhwal, this is his job. If he doesn’t bowl then how will he gain confidence?

4. Irfan Pathan raised questions on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy

Mumbai Indians reached the playoffs last season despite the absence of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. But this season, despite having both, the team is on the verge of being eliminated.

Irfan Pathan had raised questions on Hardik’s captaincy after MI’s defeat against Lucknow and said, ‘Jasprit Bumrah was not in Mumbai Indians, the qualifying team last year, but he is playing this season. Still they are in this situation. Completely because the team was not managed well on the field. Their captain Hardik Pandya made a lot of mistakes, it is true.

5. Irfan Pathan also raised questions about Hardik’s hitting ability.

Irfan Pathan believes that in IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya has been seen struggling in other grounds outside the home ground Wankhede Stadium. Irfan Pathan had written on social media, ‘Hardik Pandya’s hitting ability is decreasing, this is a big concern. He is different at Wankhede but on pitches where there is little help, it is worrying for him.