‘KKR were 57 for 5… what was the point of bringing your sixth bowler’: Irfan Pathan slams Hardik Pandya’s captaincy again | Ipl News

Irfan Pathan has slammed Hardik Pandya again following Mumbai Indians (MI) 24-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The former all-rounder believes Pandya’s decision of bringing part timer Naman Dhir, when KKR were was reduced to 57-5 in 6.1 overs. Its high-scoring top order failed for once; openers Phil Salt (5) and Sunil Narine (8), skipper Shreyas Iyer (6) and youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi (13). Rinku Singh, who missed the India bus to the T20 World Cup next month, was out to spin for 9.
The Knight Riders remained second overall, and Mumbai was ninth and eliminated from playoffs contention.
“Mumbai Indians story is over now,” Pathan starts his video.

“This team looks so good on the paper but it has not been managed properly their captain Hardik Pandya. The questions raised on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy were correct.
“Today again KKR were reeling at 57 for 5 and he introduced their sixth bowler Naman Dhir and gave him three overs. There was no point giving your sixth bowler, three overs on a trot when the opposition is under so much pressure.
“He should have brought back his main bowlers and could have bowled KKR cheaply. Venketesh Iyer and Manish Pandey put on a 83-run stand and when you could have stopped KKR under 150, that partnership helped them to get to 170, which at the end proved to be the difference.
“In Cricket, captaincy is very important. One should no how to manage their resources well. Hardik again failed to manage his team. Mumbai Indians are not looking as a team that is playing together. A big question for Mumbai Indians no is how they are going to get everyone united under their captain. The players must accept their captain and also start respecting him,” he said.
Pathan also lauded KKR, who ended their seven-match losing streak at the Wankhede Stadium since 2013.
“With Mitchell Starc back in form, KKR are looking as a dangerous unit. The only weak link in this team was Starc’s bowling and now the way he has bowled specially against Tim David, it was remarkable,” he said.
Mitchell Starc overcame poor form to pick up 4-33.
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