Mumbai Indians on Saturday lost yet another game in the ongoing IPL 2024 when they lost to table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in a rain-curtailed match. In the 16-over match, the MI team was defeated by 18 runs, as the Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious to become the first team to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya had a forgetful day once more, and their poor form is making India’s hopes of an ICC trophy after a decade fade.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 drawing near, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his concern over the form of the duo Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.
Pathan airs concern
Both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have failed to get going in IPL 2024 so far. It maybe because of the internal conflict of Mumbai Indians or because of lack of support from other cricketing departments, but they have looked a shadow of their former selves.
“Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma’s form is a big worry for Mumbai and Indians. You hope that they come back to form quickly,” Pathan tweeted.
Rohit struggling to middle the ball
Rohit on Saturday struggled to middle the ball while opening the innings. While fellow opener Ishan Kishan got off to a flying start, Rohit tried several shots before top-edging one off Varun Chakravarthy to short fine-leg. He scored 19 off 24 balls, something that is not at all expected off him. In his last 5 innings, he has managed to reach double-figures twice, and his score has not exceeded the 20-run mark
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No-impact Pandya
Hardik Pandya on the other hand had a dismal outing with both bat and the ball. While bowling, the MI captain gave away 32 runs in 3 overs without a wicket, while his batting yielded two runs off 4 balls. Hardik has 200 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2024 so far. In bowling, he has managed to take 11 wickets with an economy rate of almost 11.
While India are hoping to lift an ICC trophy after over a decade, the form of their captain and vice-captain will be crucial. If the duo takes their IPL form to the T20 World Cup 2024, India simply do not stand a chance.
