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[Saba Sports News] Hardik Pandya’s stint as Mumbai Indians captain has commenced on a disappointing note, as consecutive losses have intensified criticism from fans and experts. However, a recent incident involving Sri Lankan legend and current MI bowling coach Lasith Malinga during a post-match interaction following MI’s defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has further fueled dissatisfaction among MI supporters.
Since Pandya’s return to the MI fold and his appointment as captain, fans have expressed disappointment with the decision. This sentiment was palpable during MI’s opening game against Gujarat Titans (GT), where Pandya faced booing throughout the match.
Pandya’s on-field decisions and performances have attracted criticism from former cricketers and pundits alike. MI’s lackluster start under Pandya’s leadership, including defeats in their initial two games against GT and SRH respectively, has exacerbated the situation.
Social media has been abuzz with videos showing Pandya pushing Malinga away as the latter attempted to embrace him after their loss to SRH. Pandya’s gesture of dodging Malinga’s hug and opting to shake hands with the opposition players has drawn attention and sparked controversy.
In another instance, a clip circulated online depicting Malinga relinquishing his seat in the dugout as Pandya prepared to bat, despite batting coach Kieron Pollard initially making room for him. Fans expressed frustration that the captain did not intervene to prevent the senior pro from giving up his place.
These incidents have intensified the ongoing debate surrounding Pandya’s controversial appointment as MI skipper. The defeat to SRH itself was notable, with the opposition achieving the highest-ever IPL total of 277 for 3. Despite a valiant effort in the chase, Mumbai Indians fell short by 31 runs, marking their second consecutive loss in the tournament. Pandya’s underwhelming performance with bat and ball has further raised questions about his captaincy.