MI vs LSG: "It can break people down completely" - Aakash Chopra praises Hardik Pandya with a demand for T20 World Cup 2024

Former Indian batter and cricket analyst, Aakash Chopra, has opened up about the significance of Hardik Pandya's performance for the Indian cricket team, as he hopes the Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper will get some runs under his belt before heading to the USA for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Pandya resumed bowling his full quota, and he has been consistently taking two to three wickets for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing IPL 2024. Chopra believes this is a positive development for Team India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1 in the USA and Caribbean.

Aakash Chopra urges Hardik Pandya to find batting form ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

However, Chopra pointed out that Hardik’s improvement might not impact the Mumbai Indians (MI), as they are already eliminated from the ongoing IPL 2024, but it is crucial for the Indian cricket team's success in the upcoming global event.

In terms of his batting performance, the cricket commentator stressed that Pandya needs to find form with the bat after a challenging few months at the MI in the ongoing IPL 2024, as he is the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team under Rohit Sharma's leadership for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Chopra said that the last two-and-a-half to three months have been tough for Hardik, and it can break people down completely, but the Indian all-rounder stood with his head up and tried his best to do for the MI in this season.

However, the former Indian batter hopes that the Indian all-rounder will overcome this period, start scoring runs again, and contribute significantly to the team in the mega event.

Such tough time can break people down completely: Aakash Chopra on Hardik Pandya

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “Hardik Pandya the captain. Hardik Pandya has now started to bowl his overs. He is bowling four overs and picking up two to three wickets. If he keeps doing well, it's very good for the Indian team. It won't make a difference to the Mumbai Indians but it will be good for the Indians.

In batting, he should score runs because the last two-and-a-half to three months have been tough for Hardik and it can break people down completely. That is about to get over but let's hope that he scores runs. Let's not forget that if Rohit (Sharma) is the captain of the Indian team, the vice-captain is Hardik Pandya. So, you want him to do well.”

Notably, Mumbai Indians (MI) are currently at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table with just 8 points from their 13 games in the tournament and have been eliminated from the tournament. The five-time IPL champions will play their final game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 17.

This match will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and Pandya will certainly be looking to contribute with both bat and ball to help his team finish their IPL 2024 campaign with a win at their home ground on Friday. He will then travel to the USA along with Team India next week.