Page 2 - Hardik Pandya

T20 World Cup 2024: Pant will continue at No. 3 for India confirms Rathour

India will continue with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup following his gritty performance against Ireland, said batting coach Vikram Rathour, who also expressed his delight at having a fully-fit Hardik Pandya back in the fold. Both Pant and Pandya, who returned to top-flight cricket in the IPL, are making a comeback to international cricket after a long gap. The duo delivered the goods in India's eight-wicket thrashing of Ireland in their opening game here on Wednesday. On a challenging pitch with uneven bounce, run-scoring was difficult but Pant unleashed a few stunning shots, including a reverse-scoop over the Irish wicket-keeper's head for a match-winning six in his unbeaten 36. The Ireland match was Pant's first game for India since December 2022 when he was involved in a horrific car accident. "Yes, he has been batting really well. The two games (warm-up and Ireland) he has played, he has looked really, really good," Rathour told the media after

Top five takeaways for India after IND vs IRE T20 World Cup 2024 match

Rohit Sharma, who hadn't got going in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 was finally able to find form when he hit a fifty in this game

Watch: Here's how Rohit-led India is gearing up for T20 World Cup in US

The team was involved in various working routines set by Soham Desai. Players like Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant also enjoyed a game of foot volley

T20 World Cup: Harbhajan wants Hardik to do well after challenging phase

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has nothing but empathy for Hardik Pandya as he navigates a challenging phase in his career and is hopeful that the all-rounder, who "hasn't been a free man in the last two months", will become one during next month's T20 World Cup. Pandya endured a forgettable IPL both as captain and player with his team Mumbai Indians ending bottom of the heap in the points table. What made things worse was the incessant jeering of fans whenever he took the field, including at MI's home turf -- the Wankhede Stadium. But Harbhajan expects the tide to turn in the Americas during the T20 showpiece. "When he wears that blue jersey, he will be a different Hardik Pandya because we know he can score those runs and take those wickets. I want Hardik to come good as he has gone through a lot and I wish him all the very best to have a very good tournament for India," Harbhajan told PTI in an exclusive interview. "If he has a good tournament, obviously India will have

T20 World Cup: Rohit-led Team India arrives in NYC, Kohli to join later

Skipper Rohit Sharma was among the 10 India squad members that landed here on Sunday morning for the T20 Word Cup with Virat Kohli and vice-captain Hardik Pandya being the notable absentees in the first batch of arrivals. Also part of the travelling party was head coach Rahul Dravid and the rest of the support staff. Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel were among the players who arrived here. Reserve players Shubman Gill and Khaleel Ahmed were also with them. Kohli, who played the IPL Eliminator in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, will link up with the rest of the squad later and likewise for Hardik, who had gone to the UK after the completion of the IPL league stage. In his first year as Mumbai Indians captain, the five-time champions failed to make the play-offs. As Rajasthan Royals were involved with Qualifier 2 in Chennai on Friday night, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ave

T20 World Cup 2024: Hardik will produce something 'special' - Yuvraj Singh

Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has picked Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for the wicket-keeper's role in the playing XI and also backed under-fire Hardik Pandya to produce something "special" in the T20 World Cup despite enduring a torrid form. India have named a strong 15-member contingent and four travelling reserves to be led by Rohit Sharma for T20I cricket's showpiece event, which will be held in the West Indies and the USA starting June 1. Sticking to his preference for a left-right batting combination throughout the line-up, Yuvraj has leaned towards Pant over Samson for the vital wicket-keeper's role. "I'd probably go for Rishabh. Obviously Sanju is also in great form, but Rishabh (is a) left-hander, and I believe that Rishabh has massive potential to win games for India, which he has done in the past," Yuvraj, an ambassador of the upcoming T20 World Cup, told ICC. "Lot more in Test cricket, and he's someone who I feel can be a match-winner on the big stage." While bo

IPL 2024: Mumbai coach Boucher felt sorry for Hardik after he was booed at

Mumbai Indians coach Mark Boucher really felt bad watching skipper Hardik Pandya face hostile reactions and boos from the fans throughout the disastrous IPL campaign and admitted that it did affect the star all-rounder, something that the management would need to address in coming days. Pandya, after two successful seasons as Gujarat Titans skipper was brought back as captain of Mumbai Indians, removing five-time champion skipper Rohit Sharma, a decision that didn't sit well with legion of fans. It wasn't great hearing all the boos. I felt sorry for Hardik as well. It's never nice to have to go through something like that, Boucher said after MI lost their last league game to Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs. I do think that there are certain things that did affect individuals, which ultimately did affect the team, Boucher said after MI finished last for the second time in three years. Boucher felt the underwhelming performances and outside pressure did cloud his judgement. There's

IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya to miss his first match due to slow over rate fine

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been fined Rs 30 lakh and suspended from his team's opening match of the next edition of IPL for slow over-rate offence for the third time in the competition. With Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 campaign ending on Friday after their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants, Pandya's suspension will only come into effect during team's opening game next season. "Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their IPL2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on May 17," a media release stated. "As it was his team's third offence of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya was fined Rs 30 lakh and banned from playing the team's next match," it further stated. All other members of the team including 'Impact Player' Rohit Sharma have been fined 50 percent or Rs 12 lakh of their respective match fees, whicheve

Hardik Pandya will be a different player in T20 World Cup: Gavaskar

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels there is no reason to get overly worried about Hardik Pandya's bowling form going into the T20 World Cup, saying the all-rounder will be a "different player" in national colours. Pandya was retained as vice-captain of the 15-member squad announced by the BCCI on Tuesday despite his ordinary form for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL. The MI captain has scored 197 runs and taken just four wickets in 10 games with his team languishing in ninth spot. "There's a big difference playing in the IPL and playing for your country. Playing for your country brings out something different in every player and Hardik Pandya will be a different player," said Gavaskar on Sports Today. "He's had to face a lot of issues in this particular tournament (IPL), he's handled it quite well. When he goes overseas and has to play for India, I think he will be in a completely different frame of mind. "And that's going to be a much more positive frame of mind than

MS Dhoni to AB de Villiers: Batters who hit most sixes in 20th over of IPL

With 65 sixes and counting in 313 balls, Dhoni tops the chart of most sixes hit in the 20th over of an IPL match. The veteran Indian batter is followed by Kieron Pollard (33 sixes)

IPL 2024: MI captain Hardik Pandya fined for slow over rate vs Punjab Kings

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been fined Rs 12 lakhs for his team maintaining a slow over rate during their thrilling nine-run victory over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav's blazing 78 off 53 deliveries, posted a competitive 192/7 and then dismissed PBKS, despite Ashutosh Sharma's stunning 28-ball 61 and Shashank Singh's 41, for 183 in 19.1 overs. MI rose to seventh from ninth position on the points table following their third win in seven games in IPL 2024, while PBKS dropped a spot to ninth after their fifth defeat. "Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on April 18," said an IPL statement on Friday. "As it was his team's first offence of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya

IPL 2024 - Our nerves got tested: Hardik Pandya after close win over PBKS

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya heaved a huge sigh of relief with a close nine-run win over Punjab Kings, stating that every player's nerves got tested in Thursday's IPL game. Young batting sensation Ashutosh Sharma's 28-ball 61 did not prove to be enough as Punjab Kings, while chasing 193, were bowled out for 183 in 19.1 overs. The five-time champions MI registered only their third win out of seven games this season. "(It was a) very good game. Everyone's nerves got tested. We spoke that the characters will be checked in this game. But (it is) natural (that) you (would) think you are ahead but IPL has a tendency to show that oppositions can come back and how," Pandya said at the post-match presentation ceremony. The MI skipper was full of praise for Ashutosh's whirlwind knock, which kept PBKS in the hunt till the end. "Unbelievable, playing the way he did and hitting the ball off the middle. (It is) great for his future. We did speak in the timeout about it, not about how we

IPL 2024 PBKS vs MI: Shreyas Gopal backs Pandya against hostile crowd

With Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya continuing to receive hostile treatment from fans in the ongoing Indian Premier League, his teammate Shreyas Gopal felt on Wednesday it will only strengthen his resolve to come back stronger with some good performances. Pandya was announced as MI captain for the IPL 2024 season, replacing fan-favourite Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five titles. The change of guard hasn't gone down well with the fans, who have expressed their displeasure by booing Pandya across venues. Recalling his friendship with Pandya, Gopal said the MI skipper is mentally very strong to get unnerved by the behaviour of the crowd. "I have known Hardik for a decade, and nothing much has changed. He is a really tough guy, and something like this is only going to motivate him," said Gopal during a press conference ahead of the clash against Punjab Kings. "The way he has taken it so far is very inspiring for a lot of us. Although it's not easy to take it daily, he

IPL 2024: MI vs CSK Playing 11 - Pathirana replaces Theekshana in CSK's XI?

MI vs CSK Playing 11: For Chennai fans, there was a good news as slinga Pathirana returned to CSK Playing 11, replacing compatriot Theekshana.

Is Hardik injured? Here's why Doull said MI captain lying about his injury

Former New Zealand cricketer and ace commentator, Simon Doull questioned Pandya's bowling ability and thereby his fitness

IPL 2024 MI vs RCB Playing 11- Three changes in Bengaluru side, 1 in Mumbai

MI vs RCB Playing 11: Vaijaykumar Vyshak and Mahipal Lomror were back in the playing 11 of Bengaluru while Will Jacks made his debut replacing Cameron Green. Shreyas Gopal replaced Chawla in Mumbai

IPL 2024: Tim David feels Hardik is the glue holding MI's batting together

Mumbai Indians' all-rounder Tim David on Wednesday defended skipper Hardik Pandya's scoring rate in the ongoing IPL, saying he has been the "glue" which is holding the batting together for the five-time winners. Even though Pandya has struck at 138.46 to get 108 runs in four matches so far while batting at different slots, his failure to go ballistic in the middle as well as lower order has been noticeable this season. In the first game against his former side Gujarat Titans, Pandya succumbed to pressure after a four-ball 11 in a tricky chase whereas in the next, the MI skipper could only manage a 20-ball 24 at No 5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad while chasing a monumental 278. Pandya did a commendable job on a tough pitch against Rajasthan Royals to top-score with a 21-ball 34 in a low-scoring game, but his 33-ball 39 (3x4s, 1x6s) was in stark contrast to the other MI batters who went hammer and tongs to help the team record its highest total of 234/5 at home in the last match. "We h

IPL 2024 MI vs DC: No booing directed to Pandya at Wankhede this time

There was some reprieve for Hardik Pandya at last as the Mumbai Indians' captain did not face crowd hostility at the Wankhede Stadium here during their IPL clash against Delhi Capitals on Sunday. With the stands mostly filled with around 18,000 children from various NGOs as the match was being played on the ESA (Education and Sports for All) day for the Reliance Foundation, the noise was all about cheering for the home team. Pandya had hitherto been booed and subjected to fans' anger in the first three matches played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as well as the Wankhede. The 29-year-old Pandya became the target of fans inside the stadiums as well as off it on social media ever since he left his former franchise Gujarat Titans to rejoin Mumbai Indians, replacing Rohit Sharma as the skipper of the five-time IPL winning side. Before Sunday's game, former India captain and ex BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had urged the fans to st

IPL 2024 MI vs DC: Hardik credits MI's turnaround to team's love and care

Hardik Pandya cannot thank Mumbai Indians management enough for their empathy, love and care which kept the team going even after losing the first three games under his captaincy and having to face the unfair wrath from home fans. His return to Mumbai Indians as captain, replacing their five-time IPL-winning skipper Rohit Sharma, did not sit well with fans as he faced constant booing during first three games, including the previous one at the Wankhede. The three losses to start the season added to the woes and Pandya found himself under intense scrutiny. "There was a lot of love and care going around, everyone knows we lost three games but the belief and backing was there, everyone believes we needed just one win and today was the start," Pandya said at the post-match presentation following their 29-run win over Delhi Capitals here. "It was a lot of hard work. We had to clear our minds and make sure that we believed," said the skipper as his team played the first game after six-da

Mayank Yadav to Riyan Parag: Top 5 newsmakers of IPL 2024 first two weeks

From Hardik Pandya's Booing to MS Dhoni Turning the Clock Back in Vizag and Riyan Parag-Mayank Yadav's Rise. Here Are the Top Five Newsmakers from the First Two Weeks of IPL 2024