Former Mumbai Indians coach Mark Boucher has calculated that Hardik Pandya will be shining in IPL 2025. He said that torrid time in the previous season added to his tough character and the all-rounder will be at his best in the upcoming edition.
It was hard season for Pandya after he replaced Rohit Sharma as MI Captain. The decision didn’t go well with MI fans and booed the all-rounder at the Wankhede Stadium at every opportunity. The results also did not favour as Mumbai finished last in the points table.
However, Pandya got his support after playing a vital role in India’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy triumphs.
“It was really tough for him last season. He was being booed by the crowd every time he took the field, he deserves better, he deserves 100 per cent respect,” said Boucher.
“A cricketers never wants such a thing to happen with him. But he is a tough character,” he added.
“He is a battle-hardened cricketer. He has been through tough times, injuries, form, many things but he overcame everything and achieved success. The greats of the cricket have to be tough and he has shown that,” Boucher said.
“IPL is better with Hardik on the field, the game of cricket is better with Hardik on the field,” he added.
Hardik Pandya also drew high praise from the former India and MI player Harbhajan Singh who lauded his self belief and positive attitude.
“He is a very confident player, very positive guy. He has tremendous self-belief that he can do anything. That makes him different from others,” said Harbhajan Singh.
“It’s really heartening to see he has progressed after a difficult last year. Things have changed for him. He helped India win two ICC trophies.
“This year he will be at his best. All the wrong things of the past are gone, it is a fresh year for him,” added Harbhajan Singh.
He also spoke about the the lift of ban on the use of saliva on the ball in the upcoming IPL was lifted on Thursday during IPL captains meet which was restricted due to the consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“It is good that bowlers can use saliva again, it’s good thing for bowlers. Soon we will see it in international cricket because it is easy to shine the ball with saliva. It brings swing for pacers and drift for spinners,” the former off-spinner said.
“This move is also good. We have seen how dew can affect a game. It will be upto captains to decide when to take the second ball. I feel they will take when the ball will get wet and will be difficult to handle,” added Harbhajan Singh.
Hardik Pandya will be missing the first match of the side’s campaign due to slow-over rate offence in last year’s final group stage match.
Mumbai Indians will start their campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 23 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
