The five-time champion Mumbai Indians concluded a dismal IPL season with yet another defeat on Friday, underscoring captain Hardik Pandya's struggles.
Pandya, replacing Rohit Sharma in a surprising leadership shift, led the team to the bottom of the 10-team league, finishing with their 10th loss.
Despite his expected key role in India's upcoming T20 World Cup campaign, Pandya's performance was underwhelming, scoring 216 runs at an average of 18 and taking 11 wickets. Fans at Wankhede Stadium, disillusioned by the team's consistent failures, frequently booed Pandya, reflecting their frustration.
Head coach Mark Boucher expressed sympathy for Pandya, acknowledging the impact of the criticism on his performance. "It's never nice to hear boos," Boucher remarked. "There are certain things we need to address, and we are going to address them."
Pandya's leadership also came under fire, potentially affecting his on-field decisions. Boucher suggested that external pressures may have clouded Pandya's judgement as captain.
Adding to Mumbai's woes, Pandya will miss the first match next season due to a one-match suspension for the team's slow over rate, their third offence this year. Meanwhile, speculation about Rohit Sharma's future continues, with no clear indications about his plans for the next season.
