Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya once again failed to lead his team from the front as he was dismissed cheaply against Kolkata Knight Riders in game 51 of the ongoing IPL 2024.
The five-time champions did well to bowl out KKR by 169 runs after deciding to bowl first. Jasprit Bumrah starred in the ball for Mumbai Indians, taking 3 wickets for just 18 runs. Nuwan Untilhara also got three wickets, and all his wickets came in the powerplay as he gave Mumbai Indians a good start with the ball.
With the ball, Hardik Pandya got 2 wickets but he proved costly again as he gave away 44 runs in his four overs. The Indian all-rounder had a chance to make amends by doing well with the bat but he failed to get going once again.
He came out to bat in the eleventh over when his team was in all sorts of trouble. Mumbai Indians were reeling at 70 for 5 and needed their captain to deliver with the bat. However, he lasted just three balls and was dismissed for 1 by Andre Russell. And as Hardik Pandya failed again in the ongoing tournament, fans did not waste the opportunity to take a shot at him.
Here are some of the reactions to Hardik Pandya’s poor show against KKR:
Hardik is becoming difficult to defend you, friend.
—PRASH 🐺 (@Prash023) May 3, 2024
When will Mumbai Indians win a game? #MIvKKR #hardik #IPL2024 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/1DQHZXSaOC
– Wasay Habib (@wwasay) May 3, 2024
Hardik doesn’t even deserve to be in India’s playing xi, let alone be vice-captain.#MIvsKKR
—Dikshant (@Dikshan7011) May 3, 2024
My mom says, “Pehle Mumbai badhiya thi, jab se ye aaya hai na Hardik…” I understand what she meant.😭
-Bhawana (@bhawanakohli5) May 3, 2024
Hardik Pandya spends more time bowling than batting pic.twitter.com/atkAZLY5Q8
– Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 3, 2024
Photo 1: #MY under Rohit Sharma.
Photo 2: #MY under Hardik Pandya. pic.twitter.com/nXcV3t5FaV—Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) May 3, 2024
Hardik Pandya as captain helping Mumbai Indians reach top 4. 🤡#MIvsKKR #KKRvsMI pic.twitter.com/IiLUamrMmd
– Khabri_Prasang (@Prasang_) May 3, 2024
Hardik Pandya at least plays for you, brother.
– Fool Point (@FarziCricketer) May 3, 2024
Time spent in the coin toss ceremony: 3 minutes
Time spent in the batting area: 2 minutesHardik Pandya is a walking wicket these days 🇮🇳💔💔#IPL2024 #lost #HojaoADFree pic.twitter.com/2QzhpMsvJV
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) May 3, 2024
In the ongoing IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya has failed to make an impact with either the bat or the ball. With the bat, he has scored a modest 198 runs in 11 games with a top score of 46. With the ball, he has taken eight wickets, but so far it has been very costly as he has conceded 11 runs per over.
His captaincy has not been up to par either. Mumbai Indians have managed to win only three of their 10 league matches and are virtually out of the playoff race. Even if they win the remaining four matches, they may not make it to the next phase.