Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mark Boucher has acknowledged that captain Hardik Pandya would be disappointed with his performance this season. MI ended their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign with an 18-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium, on Friday, May 17. The defeat capped a dismal season for Pandya-led MI, who finished at the bottom of the table.
Boucher on Pandya’s Captaincy
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Boucher suggested that external pressures might have affected Pandya’s judgement during games. Throughout the season, Pandya faced criticism not only for his individual performance but also for his leadership. Despite taking over from Rohit Sharma, Pandya was frequently booed by fans, including at Wankhede.
“Even Hardik would’ve been disappointed with his performance. From a captain’s perspective, he had some excellent games. There’s a lot of stuff going around him that clouds his thoughts now and again, which is also challenging for him as a leader,” Boucher said.
Support and Future Growth
Boucher emphasized that Pandya had significant support within the team and that this season would be a learning experience for him. “He certainly had a lot of support within our dressing room, and guys are trying to help him out. While times are tough now, some things will pass, and he’ll be a tougher leader. So, some fantastic things are coming for Hardik Pandya as a leader,” he added.
Pandya’s Injury and Performance
Pandya had been sidelined with an injury since the 2023 ODI World Cup, missing several series and matches, including the Ranji Trophy. Boucher noted that Pandya’s lack of cricket before the season posed a challenge. “He came into the season with little cricket behind him, so it would always be reasonably tough on him. His bowling got a lot better as the season went along. Unfortunately, he didn’t fire with the bat this season. He showed glimpses of what he can do,” Boucher said.
Pandya scored 216 runs at an average of 18 and took 11 wickets this season. Despite the setbacks, it is expected that he will continue to captain MI next season after the mega-auction.
