Praveen Kumar's Statement on Hardik Pandya

Praveen Kumar's criticism on Hardik Pandya

Put simply,

Prior to the 2024 Indian Premier League, Praveen Kumar slammed Hardik Pandya.

Indian Premier League 2024: Hardik Pandya to captain Mumbai Indians.

Following an ankle injury in October 2023, Hardik was able to get back to full fitness in time for the 2024 Indian Premier League.

In anticipation of the 2024 Indian Premier League, former India pacer Praveen Kumar attacked Hardik Pandya, captain of the Mumbai Indians, furiously. Praveen raised doubts about Hardik's eligibility and desire to play domestic cricket for India.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy criticism

In the words of Praveen Kumar,

"You get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things should be done. It's okay to earn money, there's nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL."

Mumbai Indians latest news

After hurting his ankle in a one-day international World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh on October 19, Hardik will return to the pitch in 2024 to lead the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. After joining the team on Monday, March 11, Hardik wasted no time getting into the swing of things during pre-tournament camp. After being absent from MI's nets since 2021, he made a triumphant return. He became captain of the Gujarat Titans after his franchise did not retain him in the 2021 mega-auctions.

Praveen Kumar vs Hardik Pandya

In IPL 2022, the Titans won their first title under the leadership of the star all-rounder. In IPL 2023, they lost in the finals to CSK and finished as runners-up. He made history by trading back to the Mumbai Indians from the Gujarat Titans and was then named captain in the lead-up to the IPL 2024 mini-auction. In Praveen's opinion, the team could have continued with Rohit Sharma as captain rather than Hardik. ‘’Rohit is capable, I'm sure. This is something he can pull off for at least a year, if not longer.’’ The 37-year-old did say that the decision would ultimately rest with management.

In the first match of the season on Sunday, March 24, the Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik, will take on the Gujarat Giants, led by Shubman Gill, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.