IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya registers worst defeat by runs as captain in IPL

Hardik Pandya's previous worst defeat by runs as the captain was 27 in IPL 2023 when Gujarat lost against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Hardik Pandya registered his worst defeat in the history of the Indian Premier League as the captain on Wednesday (March 27, 2024). Hardik Pandya registered the unwanted record during Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, which saw highest-eve team total scored in IPL history, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. 

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Chasing the mammoth 278-run target, Mumbai fell short by 31 runs as they managed 246-5 in 20 overs.

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Hardik Pandya's worst defeat as captain (Overall)

 

Pandya's start of captaincy career for Mumbai Indians has been marred by controversy since he was appointed as the captain of the team.

However, IPL 2024 was not the first time, Pandya had led a side in Indian Premier League. He led Gujarat Titans to glory in the inaugural edition of the team in 2022. 

His previous worst defeat by runs as the captain was 27 in IPL 2023 when Gujarat lost against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 

Hardik Pandya with coach Kieron Pollard during SRH vs MI in IPL 2024. Photo: Sportzpics


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Hardik Pandya controversy as captain

30-year-old Pandya has been facing flak on social media since he replaced Rohit Sharma as the MI's captain. 

And Hardik Pandya's criticism hit a new low after Mumbai Indians' first match in Indian Premier League 2024. 

Where is Jasprit Bumrah?? Game nearly done and your best bowler has only bowled ONE over! #SRHvMI

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 27, 2024

The questions of Jasprit Bumrah not being bowled by Pandya were raised during the matcj by many experts including Tom Moody and Irfan Pathan. Bumrah is the number one bowler in the fomrat and him being used sporaidaclly raised many eybrows. 

Though the audio of the visuals was not available, Pandya's on-field antics during Gujarat Titans' did not go down well among the Mumbai Indians' fans.

Pandya was seen sending former captain Rohit Sharma to the boundary line with the latter looking surprised. 

The captaincy of Hardik Pandya has been ordinary to say the least. Keeping Bumrah away for too long when the carnage was on was beyond my understanding.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 27, 2024

 

Irfan Pathan also questioned Pandya's batting approach  as he scored 24 runs in 20 ball at a strike rate of 120 which is dismal when a the team is needing players to strike at at least 200. 

If the whole team is playing with the strike of 200, Captain can’t bat with the batting strike rate of 120.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 27, 2024