IND vs BAN: "You know who the leader is..." - Matthew Hayden's huge take on Rohit Sharma-Hardik Pandya rift

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden advised Rahul Dravid to focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, set to be played in the West Indies and the USA. Matthew Hayden stated that Rahul Dravid should avoid discussing the IPL 2024 performances of skipper Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.

Team India will aim to end an 11-year ICC trophy drought in the T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1. The team, under skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, has been successful in bilateral series. However, the Men in Blue have failed to replicate their success in ICC tournaments in recent years.

The Rohit Sharma-led team reached the semi-finals in the last edition of the T20 World Cup. The Indian team suffered a humiliating defeat to England in the knockout match. They also lost in the finals of the World Championship and the ODI World Cup 2023. Dravid's tenure is set to end after the World Cup 2024.

The current Indian team faces issues with leadership. Rumors suggest a rift between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in the Mumbai Indians (MI) dressing room. The five-time IPL champions had a disappointing outing in the recent season. They finished at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 matches.

You Know Who The Leader Is - Matthew Hayden

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Matthew Hayden commented on the alleged rift between Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma. Hayden stated that leadership is evident without needing words in a men's dressing room. He said that players look at each other and move forward accordingly.

"Just a quick comment on Hardik and Rohit. A men's dressing room is very simple. Without one word, you know who the leader is. Nothing has to be spoken. You look at each other. You'll understand what has to happen, and then you move forward accordingly," Hayden told ESPNCricinfo.

Great Sentiment Towards Celebrity Culture - Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden highlighted the Mumbai Indians' struggles in the Indian Premier League 2024. The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that issues were evident from the beginning and mentioned the body language of players, including Rohit Sharma.

"The ecosystem of a successful cricket team is very fragile. And you saw what happened to the Mumbai Indians. Submerged log right from the start, something that perhaps wasn't addressed. I don't know. I'm just looking at the body language of a number of players, including Rohit, and the most important player, the 12th and 13th man at the Wankhede stadium, who have this great sentiment towards celebrity culture. If you say one thing against Hitman, your life is finished. We saw that at the World Cup as well, at the penultimate stick of the end where there had to be an ego-less and extremely secure ecosystem over in a month," Hayden added.

India is in Group A with Pakistan, Ireland, the USA, and Canada in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Indian team will take on Ireland in their opening match on Wednesday, June 5, in New York. The Rohit Sharma-led team will face archrivals Pakistan at the Nassau County Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9.

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