Former India cricketer Balvinder Singh Sandhu has ignited controversy by pointing fingers at the Mumbai Indians‘ management for the escalating captaincy chaos surrounding the team. With three consecutive defeats and growing public backlash against newly-appointed captain Hardik Pandya, the franchise finds itself in a storm of criticism.
Sandhu’s Critique
In a recent column for the Mid-Day, Sandhu expressed his concern over the Mumbai Indians’ decision to replace Rohit Sharma, a proven captain with five IPL title wins, with Hardik Pandya. Sandhu criticized the management for what he deemed as a hasty decision, suggesting that it lacked thorough deliberation and consultation. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the invaluable contributions of players like Rohit Sharma and providing honest analysis in decision-making processes.
Sandhu stated, “The backlash faced by Hardik from the crowd isn’t solely directed at him but indirectly implicates those responsible for his appointment as captain.”
Public Backlash and Crowd Disapproval
The public backlash against the Mumbai Indians and Hardik Pandya has been evident in recent matches. Pandya has been subjected to relentless booing and jeering from the crowds, especially during matches in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Wankhede. Sandhu highlighted the detrimental impact of enduring defeats on Pandya’s ability to win over the crowd and urged the franchise to reconsider its approach to leadership selection.
Sandhu added, “Such behaviour detracts from the enjoyment of genuine cricket enthusiasts, who attend matches in anticipation of witnessing exhilarating contests between bat and ball.”
Rumoured Captaincy Deal
Sandhu also addressed rumours surrounding a ‘captaincy deal’ in Pandya’s contract, suggesting that his return to the Mumbai Indians was contingent upon being named captain. While neither Pandya nor the franchise have officially commented on the matter, Sandhu believes that such conditions unrelated to cricketing merit only exacerbate the ongoing turmoil within the team.
According to Sandhu, “If, indeed, Hardik’s elevation to captaincy depended upon conditions unrelated to his cricketing prowess, it stands as a regrettable transaction.”
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