Former Australian captain Aaron Finch said that Rohit Sharma could have prevented Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya from being heavily booed earlier in the season by backing him. However, Hardik was traded to MI from GT during the offseason and replaced Rohit as captain for this season as well. However, he received criticisms from the MI fans across the stadiums. Moreover, his and the team’s performances have suffered throughout the season as well.

Speaking on the Around the Wicket Podcast, Finch said, “Just the one thing that I would have loved to have seen from Rohit throughout the IPL campaign is to make some kind of public statement because the resentment towards Hardik from the public has been unbelievable – getting booed. So I would have loved seeing Rohit come out and say something publicly. Say ‘No, this is part of the plan for Mumbai Indians, and Hardik’s got my full support. Just think that would have put things to be a lot more quickly. And it’s changed to cheers when he walks out since the World Cup squad has been announced. But for eight games, Hardik was getting booed during a Mumbai Indians game.”

However, Hardik Pandya has struggled with the bat, averaging under 20 in 12 matches. While his bowling has improved lately, he is still conceding runs at an economy rate of over 10 as well. Meanwhile, Aaron Finch’s former teammate Michael Clarke also felt the same as he said Rohit Sharma will continue to embrace Hardik Pandya, especially with the T20 World Cup to follow after the IPL as well.

“You know what… knowing Rohit Sharma, he will wrap his arms around Hardik Pandya. That shows the character that Rohit is. He is the Indian captain and trust me… he wants to win that World Cup. He has had a lot of say in the 15 that is picked by India. If the beef between Rohit and Hardik was as strong as people think, Hardik wouldn’t be in that World Cup campaign. The Indian captain has that much power,” said Clarke on the Around the Wicket Podcast.”I think while there is obviously issues with how Rohit was released off his duties as captain of Mumbai Indians, I don’t think that will affect their friendship, selection or Rohit Sharma. He will make sure Hardik is as focussed as possible.”