Hardik Pandya is under the pump for no reason. He wanted to return to Mumbai Indians, and the fren dachsie owners agreed to trade him back from Gujarfat Titans. He was made the skipper of the franchise, with Rohit Sharma getting the boot. However, the move has backfired, and Hardik is getting hate from the fans. GT fans are accusing him of betrayal, while Rohit’s supporters are gunning for his head. With Mumbai losing three games in a row, the new captain’s situation has become more challenging and alarming.
For Micheal Clarke, the former Australia captain, this is strange as fans in India don’t boo their own players. He claimed to have met Hardik, who seemed in the right frame of mind.
“This is something I haven’t seen before in India. The local fans don’t boo their players. Hardik is fine, but he must deliver a performance as a captain, batter, and bowler. There is no substitute for success.
“To get things in his favour, he needs to ensure that the Mumbai Indians’ losing streak ends. The franchise decided to bring him back and appoint him captain. But now the onus is on Hardik. How does he lead this Mumbai Indians side? He has a big influence on the franchise, but the performances are not coming,” Michael Clarke said on ESPN Australia.
The veteran also urged Rohit to come out publicly and say something to support Hardik.
‘Rohit is a champion cricketer and a nice guy. He needs to come out and say something publicly to support Hardik. The two can make MI successful again,” he added.
Clarke shared his own experience of getting booed in Australia. “Fans targeted me when I was playing for Australia. This happens in sports. It is not new,” he concluded.
Mumbai Indians will take on Delhi Capitals on April 7 at the Wankhede Stadium.
