New Delhi, May 13: Mumbai Indians (MI) are already out of the Indian Premier League 2024 play-offs race.
But MI captain this season Hardik Pandya and his predecessor Rohit Sharma, are the two vital pillars of Team India. Their success would be crucial for India in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
Rohit has been named as the skipper of the Indian team and Hardik assigned the role of his deputy. The two are exceptional match-winners and big match players.
Interestingly, while Rohit continues to lead India is yet another ICC World Cup, but he was replaced as the skipper of Mumbai Indians by his franchise owners. Pandya, a former MI player, who was for two seasons with Gujarat Titans, was roped in by MI and handed over the MI leadership baton.
The change in captainship did not go well with the fans and Hardik was booed on the field and trolled in social networking platforms.
It is a fact that MI's IPL 2024 campaign was majorly overshadowed by the Rohit -Hardik debacle with both players being criticised individually as well as for their impact on the team.
However, former Australian cricketer Tom Moody has backed the two players to regain form ahead of the T20 World Cup, starting from June 1 in "I wouldn't be overly concerned with Rohit Sharma's form at this stage. When it comes to representing his country for major events like an ICC World Cup, I see the experience of Rohit Sharma as invaluable not just with the bat but as the captain as well.
"When it comes to form for players like Rohit Sharma, the way the event is structured there’s a number of games in the group stage for players to find some form against less competitive sides," Moody, cricket expert and commentator with official TV broadcaster Star Sports for IPL 2024, told IANS in an exclusive chat.
"When it comes to individual form or team form momentum can be captured quite early and then the team will be peaking at the right time when it comes to the back end of the tournament," he said.
Hardik, on the other hand, has had a rollercoaster of a season which began with him being booed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in their opening match against his former team, Gujarat Titans.
The 30-year old all-rounder is averaging only 18.18 runs a game which has fallen down from 31.45 in the previous edition. Alongside his average batting stats, he is also leaking way too many runs. His economy of 10.59 in this edition of the tournament is the worst it has been in the ten years he has played in the tournament.
"Same answer as Rohit, they’re both having challenging times when it comes to their franchise and Hardik is obviously a critical part of that side, because in ICC events you don’t have impact players so your all-rounders are important when it comes to creating balance in your playing XI. I am sure Hardik Pandya will benefit from those early games getting some sort of momentum and confidence back into his game, more so with the bat than ball.
"In recent games he has found some sort of rhythm and form with the ball in hand. T20 can be quite a fickle format when it comes to batting in the middle order or as a player, who comes in the back end of the innings. I am sure he will have his moments in those first few games to recapture some sort of form into his batting," added Moody.
Rohit as a calm and composed leader and as a dashing opener is vital to Team India's success. Similarly, if he bowls regularly in matches, Hardik, the fast-bowling all-rounder is crucial to India's T20 World Cup 2024 game plan. If Moody's words come true and both Rohit and Hardik click together, then who knows India may even return with their second ICC T20 World Cup trophy. (With IANS support)
