Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya shared his perspective on facing challenges and managing expectations during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Hardik Pandya stated that the expectations of both the Mumbai Indians team and the fans do not bother him.
Hardik Pandya is leading the Mumbai Indians team in the current season of the Indian Premier League. Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma, who guided the team to five titles, ahead of the 2024 tournament. This is Hardik’s second stay in MI as he debuted for the team in 2015.
Hardik Pandya faced criticism from Rohit Sharma fans and even received boos on the field. To make matters worse, the Mumbai team suffered consecutive defeats in the first three matches. However, they recovered and won three of the next four games in the league phase.
We never give up – Hardik Pandya
In a video shared by Star Sports on X (formerly known as Twitter), Hardik Pandya stated that challenges are fun and sees them as opportunities for personal growth. Pandya stated that Mumbai Indians never give up.
“The challenges are fun, but if you ask what the challenge would be, I think it’s just the expectations of the franchise, the expectations of the fans, which, to be very honest, doesn’t bother me because I prefer to have a low-stress or hectic life. because that means I’m doing something productive,” Hardik said in Star Sports’ ‘Captains Speak’ segment.
“No matter what happens, we never give up. That has been a fundamental part of ME. For me it is more exciting that I am pushing my limits, (accepting) challenges that will make me grow even more.” he added.
He @mipaltanThe captain became nostalgic as he remembered his first #IPL days! 💙
Can @hardikpandya7 Turn the ship around while visiting the Royals’ home tonight? 🤔
📺 | #RRvMI | Today, 6:30 p.m.#IPLOnStar pic.twitter.com/nk42AxZFSs
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 22, 2024
Hardik Pandya’s performance in the first seven matches of the tournament has been below par, both with bat and ball. The star all-rounder has scored 141 runs at an average of under 24. He has taken four wickets at an average of over 41 and a high economy rate of 11.
I really liked the moment – Hardik Pandya
The 30-year-old all-rounder expressed his emotions about returning to Mumbai Indians and described it as a return to the family. Hardik declared that he had finally returned to where he belonged.
“It’s a family. The whole time I’ve been an MI guy, a local talent. When I put on the jersey, when it was announced, it was very emotional. I really liked the moment. It was a sigh of relief to say ‘I’m finally at home’. ‘,” Pandya further stated.
The Baroda-born cricketer spent seven years with the Mumbai Indians, from 2015 to 2021. Hardik captained the Gujarat Titans for two seasons, winning the title in 2022 and finishing as runners-up in 2023. They were defeated by the Chennai Super MS Dhoni’s Kings. (CSK) in last year’s final.
Hardik Pandya will next be seen in action when Mumbai Indians take on top-of-the-table Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday, April 22. A win in the next match could help the MI team improve. their chances of reaching the top four.
Also Read: SRH vs RCB: Virat Kohli’s teammate issues official statement on behalf of his team over Kohli’s controversial dismissal