Hardik Pandya has had a miserable run in IPL 2024. Rejoining the Mumbai Indians (MI), during the trade window last year, the former Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper fell flat in all departments in this year’s season. In 13 games, Hardik has not created any impact as a captain as well as an all-rounder. Under him, MI are the first to be eliminated from the playoffs race and have only 4 wins in 13 games. On the other hand, he has managed just 200 runs at 18.18 and scalped 11 wickets at an economy of 10.59. 

Ahead of MI’s last game, where they host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday (May 17) at the Wankhede Stadium, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has urged Hardik to step up and give his all, especially with the bat given the T20 World Cup is not far away. 

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Speaking on Jio Cinema, Watson said, “They (MI) have got so much to play for. They have been very disappointing this season. With the calibre of players that they have got in their unit, in front of their home crowd, they would want to put up a big show for their home fans and me.”

He shifted his focus on Hardik and stated, “I have got this feeling that Hardik Pandya has really got to step up in last game and really exert his dominance. The T20 World Cup is not too far away, and he really has to hit his straps, especially with the bat.”

Hardik returned to competitive cricket, after a knee injury during the home ODI WC last year and IPL 2024. Despite his low returns, he made a comeback in India’s squad for the T20 WC, which kicks off in June in West Indies and the USA. 

Watson added, “He (Hardik) has been most disappointing with the bat, knowing how good he was with GT, coming in at No. 4. The impact that he provided with the bat, he was coming in with plenty of runs to score and steady the ship. So, for me Hardik Pandya has to be the man to step up.”

Hardik fired all cylinders for GT from 2022-23, managing 833 runs across 2 seasons with 6 fifties along with 11 scalps. He will be desperate to make the most of his chances in MI’s last IPL encounter, on Friday evening, given India only play one warm-up game before their T20 WC opener, i.e. on June 5.

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