IPL 2024: "Waiting For The First Coach To Be Fired In The Middle Of The Season.."- Kevin Pietersen On Hardik Pandya's Transfer To Mumbai Indians
Published - 06 Dec 2023, 05:06 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:23 AM
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has reacted to Hardik Pandya‘s sensational trade deal to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans. The Indian cricketing fraternity was left stunned after the all-rounder decided to leave Gujarat Titans for his first IPL team despite enjoying two highly successful seasons with them.
Hardik Pandya was released by Mumbai Indians before the 2022 season and was acquired by the Gujarat-based outfit through a draft process. The franchise appointed the India all-rounder as their captain and he justified the decision by leading the team to title in its first-ever IPL season.
Earlier this year, he showed his brilliant leadership once again and led Gujarat Titans to the final where they lost against Chennai Super Kings. In those two seasons, Hardik Pandya scored over 800 runs and picked up 11 wickets. However, it did not stop him from forcing a way to his former IPL team, leaving many shocked.
Kevin Pietersen reacts to Hardik Pandya’s transfer:
Fans as well as experts have criticised Hardik Pandya for leaving Gujarat Titans despite being their captain. Many have also accused him of giving priority to money over legacy and loyalty. And while many are surprised with the move, Kevin Pietersen is not.
In a recent interview with the Times of India, the former England captain stated that he was not at all surprised with the transfer. He cited the examples of football transfer and said that a big player moving from one big team to another is not uncommon in the sporting world. Pietersen also said that he is waiting for the first coach to be sacked midway through an IPL season.
“There’s a lot of transfers. The Indian Premier League is like the football Premier League in England now. The Premiership is highly competitive and you’ve got big players that leave big clubs and transfer to the other big clubs. I’m not surprised,” said Pietersen.
“I’m just waiting for the first coach to be fired in the middle of the season (like in football) and I’m waiting for that. That’s the next big move that an IPL franchise is going to make. Player moving, it happens. I’m waiting for coaches to be fired in the middle of the season,” he added.
