Sunil Gavaskar blames fans for MI’s IPL 2024 woes, credits Hardik Pandya for 2025 season turnaround
Published - 17 May 2025, 04:25 PM | Updated - 17 May 2025, 04:26 PM
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Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has praised Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya for his incredible transformation in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He pointed out how the all-rounder didn't get support last year, but the fans have backed him this year.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has made a terrific comeback in the IPL 2025. After being booed last year, the all-rounder has won the hearts of the fans this year after his incredible performances and is leading the team so well.
Hardik Pandya has led from the front in IPL 2025
Hardik Pandya, who faced a lot of criticism last year for taking over the leadership from Rohit Sharma, has led from the front this year. The all-rounder has played a magnificent role with the ball and has also been making vital contributions for his side with the bat.
Under his leadership, the Mumbai Indians started pretty slow in the league as they lost four out of their five games. However, after that, they made a terrific comeback and won six consecutive games on the trot that brought the team back on track.
He also got the support of the crowd backing him - Sunil Gavaskar on Hardik Pandya
Sunil Gavaskar, while lauding Hardik Pandya, pointed out how he got the support of fans back. The batting great highlighted how the all-rounder hasn't shown any emotions as well.
"What we saw from last year to this year has been the fact that he also got the support of the crowd backing him. Last year, he would have been a little bit unsettled by the fact that the Mumbai crowd and the Mumbai supporters were not backing him so much," Gavaskar said during a Star Sports Press Room
"But this year, they are all behind him. And they are all urging him to go on to win. They have got one game at home on the 21st. And that is where we will see how they come back. And the way they have come back, we are talking about his thinking and we are talking about how his calming influence is. That is because he has not shown any emotions on the field."
I am hoping, as a Mumbai Indians fan, that they will continue to go on to win - Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar added that Hardik Pandya hasn't reacted to the misfields and drop catches, which is why the Mumbai Indians have performed well. He hoped the franchise would go on to win the tournament. He added:
"When there has been a misfield, when there has been a drop catch, he has just turned on his back and he has gone back to his fielding position. A lot of times, when the captain has a little bit of gesticulations, then the fielder also gets a little bit nervous.
"But he hasn't done that. And so that's the reason why Mumbai Indians have come back so well. They normally do that. And once again, this year, I am hoping, as a Mumbai Indians fan, that they will continue to go on to win," Gavaskar concluded.
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