Former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar has strongly criticized all-rounder Hardik Pandya for opting to skip playing for India or his domestic team and instead returning directly to the IPL after recovering from injury.
The 30-year-old had been sidelined with an ankle injury since the match against Bangladesh at the 2023 World Cup. He resumed competitive cricket at the DY Patil T20 tournament upon his recovery.
Hardik Pandya is set to captain the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024 following his return to the franchise through an off-season all-cash trade agreement with the Gujarat Titans (GT). In a widely circulated video clip, Praveen, questioned about Hardik’s comeback, replied:
“You get injured two months before the IPL, you don’t play for the country, you don’t play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL.”
”That’s not how things should be done. It’s okay to earn money, there’s nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL).”
After spending seven seasons with MI from 2015 to 2021, Hardik transitioned to lead GT for the subsequent two years. The influential all-rounder guided the team to a championship title in their debut season in 2022.
GT came close to securing consecutive titles last year but faced a heartbreaking loss to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final, decided on the last ball.
“He can do it for two years, three years” – Praveen Kumar view on Rohit Sharma leading MI
Praveen Kumar believed that Rohit Sharma could have continued leading MI for an additional two to three years. The 36-year-old captained the franchise for over a decade, from the middle of 2013 until the 2023 season.
Under his leadership, MI secured all five titles, including consecutive victories in 2019 and 2020. Rohit Sharma is second only to MS Dhoni in both matches captained and wins, with 87 victories out of 158 games.
“Yes, Rohit can do it. Not only for one year, but he can do it for two years, three years. But eventually, the decision lies in the hands of the management,” said Praveen.
Following two disappointing seasons where they failed to make the playoffs in 2021 and 2022, MI bounced back by securing third place, losing in the second qualifier to the Gujarat Titans.
The two teams are set to clash in their 2024 season opener in Ahmedabad on March 24. With Hardik Pandya’s departure, Shubman Gill will assume the captaincy for GT in the 2024 IPL season.
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