New Delhi: Hardik Pandya seems to have become the new “hot topic” of discussion in the cricketing world. The 30-year-old all-rounder was scrutinised for his performances in the recently concluded IPL where his poor performances and leadership skills ended the hopes of MI to reach the playoffs.
If the IPL season was not enough to create problems for Pandya, now the right-hand all-rounder is surrounded by rumours of a possible divorce from her wife, Natasha Stankovic. These speculations gathered more storm after Natasha removed Hardik’s surname from her Instagram. On the other hand, Hardik was not spotted in the first batch of the Indian cricket team that landed in New York.
However, keeping every speculation aside, Pandya has shared team pictures of practising in New York to show that he has come back and joined the national team. Pandya’s post which read “On national duty“, has started new speculations on social media. Moreover, it also removed the air around divorce that was clotting Hardik Pandya’s cricketing career.
On national duty 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/pDji7UkUSm
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) May 29, 2024
Responding to all speculations, Hardik Pandya is “On national duty….“
Hardik has joined the national side on the back of a disappointing IPL season. Earlier, the decision to appoint Pandya as the captain of Mumbai Indians over Rohit Sharma had put Hardik in the middle of scathing criticism from the fans. Subsequently, the all-rounder had a horrid season as he averaged just 18 with the bat and was expensive with the ball at an economy of 10.75.
Hardik Pandya said – "Virat Kohli gave me some advice a few days ago and it will help with my batting. I'm thankful to Virat Kohli for this". pic.twitter.com/nRXJVgNaz5
— Suhana (@suhana18_) May 28, 2024
To add more misery to the already transpiring nightmare, MI managed to win only 4 matches and was the first team to crash out of the tournament. MI coach Mark Boucher defended Hardik in the post-match press conference of the last match played by MI by saying, “A lot of the stuff that he’s going through is, personally, maybe a little uncalled for….”
Hardik’s turbulent season also raised doubts about his selection for the national side. But, out of everyone’s expectations, the board has decided to instil faith in the youngster and even made him the vice-captain.