Hardik Pandya accused of hiding his fitness from BCCI by Australian legend after Simon Doull's exposing the MI captain
Published - 15 Apr 2024, 10:52 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
Former Australia batting legend Adam Gilchrist has raised doubts on Hardik Pandya’s fitness in IPL 2024. Gilchrist feels that Hardik Pandya does not look 100 percent fit in IPL 2024. His words came after Pandya gave a miserable bowling show in the MI vs CSK clash of IPL 2024 on Sunday.
The MI skipper bowled the final over in the match and conceded 20 runs. MS Dhoni shattered Pandya for three consecutive sixes in the final over to drive the CSK’s scoreboard to a gigantic 206-4.
Pandya conceded 43 runs across his 3-over spell, leaking runs at a high economy of 14.30. Later, Pandya also failed with the bat, getting out for 2 runs off 6 balls. Mumbai Indians lost the match by 20 runs in the end.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya accused of deliberately feeding balls to MS Dhoni by Sunil Gavaskar
Hardik Pandya looks proppy: Adam Gilchrist
During a conversation on Cricbuzz about the MI vs CSK game, former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said Hardik Pandya does not look 100 percent fit with his bowling in IPL 2024. Using Australian terms, Gilchrist called MI skipper 'proppy'.
"The only positive about Hardik Pandya and his bowling was that he was prepared to take on the challenge. I am captain, I am gonna have a crack but then he looks proppy, as we use in Australian sporting terms, you are not quite fluent".
"He does not look anywhere near 100 percent fit with the ball in hand and if there is any doubt about the physicality. His bowling was scattered," said Gilchrist.
Matheesha Pathirana was the difference: MI skipper after defeat
Post the defeat, Hardik Pandya said Matheesha Pathirana's spell made the difference. Pathirana clinched 4 wickets in the match to win the player of the match award.
"It was definitely gettable, but they bowled pretty well. Pathirana was the difference. They were smart with their plans and their approach. They got the hang of it, there's a man behind the stumps (Dhoni) who tells them what's working, and that helps. It (pitch) was holding up a bit and getting difficult. It was about batting well and keeping the intent", the MI skipper said.
Also Read: WATCH: Shubman Gill's female fan almost faints away as he enters the team hotel
Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to bowl first. While CSK had a slow start in the powerplay overs, they pulled up later with half-centuries by Ruturaj Gaikwad (69) and Shivam Dube (66*). Reaching 206-4, CSK reached a powerful total. MS Dhoni added 20 runs off 4 balls in the final over.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a superb spell for MI, leaking just 27 runs off his 4 overs. During the chase, Rohit Sharma slammed an unbeaten century for Mumbai (105*). However, the rest MI batters failed to support him as MI could only reach 186-6 till the final ball.
Mumbai Indians have lost 4 games out of 6 in IPL 2024 and take the 8th spot in the points table. They will now clash with Punjab Kings in their next match on Thursday, April 18.
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