On Friday, May 17, MI lost to LSG by 18 runs at their home ground, Wankhede, to end their season. The defeat concluded a disastrous season for MI, captained by Hardik Pandya, who placed last in the Indian Premier League 2024 standings.
Following the team’s last game, MI head coach Mark Boucher made remarks about captain Hardik Pandya, stating that the captain would be disappointed in himself.
During the press conference following the game, Boucher speculated that Hardik might have been distracted by outside noise and that this could have affected his decision-making. Throughout the season, Pandya has come under fire for both his captaincy and his performances. The supporters have jeered the MI skipper, who succeeded Rohit Sharma, in a number of stadiums, including Wankhede.
“Given his performance, even Hardik would have been dissatisfied. As a captain, he had several really good performances. Boucher stated in the press conference following the game, “There’s a lot of stuff going around him that clouds his thoughts every now and then, which is also challenging for him as a leader.”
“He certainly had a lot of support within our dressing room, and guys are trying to help him out, but it is tricky to go through as a player. It is what it is, and it will undoubtedly be a learning curve for him with his leadership growth. While times are tough now, some things will pass, and he’ll be a tougher leader. So, some fantastic things are coming for Hardik Pandya as a leader,” he further added.
Throughout the season, Pandya amassed 216 runs at an average of 18 and claimed 11 wickets. After the mega-auction, it is anticipated that he will remain MI’s captain for the upcoming season.