IPL 2024: “Fans shouldn’t boo Hardik Pandya, not his fault if named Mumbai Indians captain,” says DC’s Ganguly

Pandya has been at the receiving end of the fans’ anger ever since Mumbai Indians announced that he will captain the five-time champion in IPL 2024.

Published : Apr 06, 2024 17:56 IST , Mumbai - 2 MINS READ

File Photo: Sourav Ganguly, Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, in a press conference ahead of an IPL 2024 match.
File Photo: Sourav Ganguly, Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, in a press conference ahead of an IPL 2024 match. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR/ The Hindu
infoIcon

File Photo: Sourav Ganguly, Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, in a press conference ahead of an IPL 2024 match. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR/ The Hindu

Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain and BCCI chief, has stressed that Rishabh Pant is making a case to be picked for the T20 World Cup. Ganguly, the Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, also backed Hardik Pandya amidst the Mumbai Indians captaincy row.

“I will let a few more matches go. He is doing very well, as you all must have seen, keeping, batting, so he has held up well,” Ganguly said at the Wankhede Stadium while addressing the pre-match media interaction ahead of Sunday’s Indian Premier League tie.

“His form is fantastic, especially the way he has batted in the last two games. So let another week go, and I will be able to answer, provided the selectors want to pick him - that is most important. He is fully fit.”

ALSO READ | SRH vs CSK, IPL 2024: Adapting to slow nature of surface was crucial, says Jaydev Unadkat

Making a comeback to competitive cricket after nearly 15 months after being involved in a car accident, Pant has tallied 152 runs in four innings, at a strike rate of 158+. While the Capitals’ captain is in the headlines for the right reasons, his Mumbai Indians counterpart Hardik has been booed in all of MI’s three losses so far.

“I don’t think they should boo Hardik Pandya. The franchisee has appointed him as captain. That’s what happens in sport, whether you captain India or whether you captain your state or whether you captain your franchise, you are appointed as captain,” Ganguly said.

“Rohit Sharma is different class, his performance for his franchise and for India has been at a different level whether as captain or player. It is not Hardik’s fault he has been appointed captain.”

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment