DC vs MI: "When Hardik Pandya's kid is born, Rohit Sharma fans have to remind him.."- Wasim Akram's all-out attack

Former Pakistan fast bowling legend Wasim Akram has become the latest to slam and criticize Mumbai Indians fans for booing their skipper Hardik Pandya. 

Wasim Akram made these comments during his recent appearance in Sportskeeda's post-match IPL show wherein he extended his support to Hardik Pandya. The Baroda-born all-rounder who was with the Gujarat Titans over the last two seasons, returned to his first IPL outfit back in November 2023.

What should Hardik and MI do in their last 6 league matches? 

Since then, MI fans have made it a routine to troll and mentally harass Hardik Pandya, who switched his allegiance back to MI mainly for captaincy. But the 2024 IPL season hasn't panned out the way he would have expected as the Mumbai Indians have consistently struggled to win matches against big opposition. 

The 5-time champions are currently languishing in the 8th position with just 3 wins to their name against Bengaluru, Delhi, and Punjab. Hardik Pandya's side has lost 5 of their 8 league matches on the way and if they want to qualify for the playoffs, then they must win all of their matches from now on. 

Their next (9th) league match is against an in-form Delhi Capitals team which won their tie against Gujarat Titans last night. MI had defeated DC in their previous meeting and they must look to do the same in the reverse fixture. 

What did Wasim Akram say in support of Hardik Pandya?

During his recent appearance in Sportskeeda's post-match IPL show, Wasim Akram had words of support for Hardik Pandya. Akram first pointed out the problem that lies within the Indian fan base and claimed that the fans rarely move on or forget these types of things.

The former KKR bowling coach also stated that MI fans should not treat Hardik Pandya the way they have been doing all this while. Akram instead suggested the Mumbai fans back their captain as he is one of the best match-winners around and that there is no point in booing a player who has represented the national team as well. 

Wasim Akram lastly said that MI fans can criticize Pandya a little bit but they must also learn how to move on from such things.  

"This is the problem in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We never forget. We tell our kids that when Pandya's kid is born, you have to remind him why he became captain 20 years ago. We don't move on."I think fans need to be a little calm. At the end of the day, he is your player. He plays for Mumbai Indians, and he is the one who can make you win. There is no point booing your own player. You can criticize a little bit, but move on." - Akram said Sportskeeda.

Akram says Rohit Sharma should have continued

Wasim Akram then said that the Mumbai Indians management should have waited for another season before appointing Hardik Pandya as the captain. The former left-arm seamer feels that Rohit Sharma should have been given another season in the captaincy role and then in 2025, they should have turned to Pandya. 

"In my view, Rohit Sharma should have continued as captain for one more year. Perhaps, next year, Hardik Pandya could have been the captain." - Wasim Akram concluded.