In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, the Mumbai Indians, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, faced another setback in their recent clash against the Rajasthan Royals. The encounter took place at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 22nd.
Despite posting a competitive total of 179 runs in the first innings, the Mumbai Indians faltered against the Rajasthan Royals’ formidable batting lineup. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable century propelled the hosts to their seventh victory of the season.
Hardik Pandya’s performance in the match mirrored his team’s struggles. The 30-year-old managed to score only 10 runs off as many deliveries and conceded 21 runs without taking any wickets in his two overs of bowling. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took to social media to express concern over Pandya’s declining form, particularly highlighting his batting prowess.
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Irfan Pathan tweeted, “Hardik Pandya’s hitting ability is going down. That’s a big worry on a larger picture. At the Wankhede, he is different but on pitches where there is little help, is what is worrisome for him.”
Hardik Pandya’s hitting ability is going down. That’s a big worry on a larger picture. At the wankhede he is different but on pitches where there is little help is what is worrisome for him.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 22, 2024
Following their defeat to the Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets, the Mumbai Indians find themselves languishing in seventh place in the IPL 2024 standings, with three wins from eight matches. To secure a spot in the tournament’s knockout rounds, Hardik Pandya’s team needs to string together consistent victories in their remaining fixtures.
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Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals continue to assert their dominance in the tournament, sitting comfortably at the top of the points table with seven wins from eight games, accumulating a total of 14 points. As the IPL season progresses, both teams will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure crucial victories in the upcoming matches.
