Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden believes that Hardik Pandya, the captain of Mumbai Indians, deserves a spot in the greatest IPL XI of all time. Hardik has been part of Mumbai Indians from 2015 to 2021 and led Gujarat Titans to their first IPL title in 2022. He returned to Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season in a Rs 15 crore deal.
Matthew Hayden Hails MI Captain Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has had a remarkable IPL career since his debut in 2015 under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma for Mumbai Indians. He has clinched five IPL titles, four with Mumbai Indians as a player and one with Gujarat Titans as the captain. Pandya led Gujarat Titans to their first IPL title in 2022 and guided them to the finals in the following season, although they lost to MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash.
During a Star Sports show titled ‘Incredible 16 of the IPL’, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden was tasked with selecting his all-time best XI for the IPL. Hayden included both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in his lineup, highlighting their exceptional fielding skills. He also noted Jadeja’s additional value as a left-arm bowling option. Matthew Hayden said:
“I don’t want to waste, if there is such a thing where you’re picking greats, an opportunity for an Indian talent instead of an overseas talent, so Hardik Pandya walks into my greatest eleven side for sure. I’m going to pick Jadeja as well, as I want that left arm option, and a great fielder, which Hardik is as well. So Hardik at this stage is my choice,”
Mumbai Indians still retain Rohit Sharma as a player, and the franchise, along with head coach Mark Boucher, believes that relieving him of captaincy duties might allow him to excel as a batsman. Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles and won another with Deccan Chargers in 2009 as a player. Hardik Pandya faces a significant challenge in stepping into Rohit’s shoes, given his remarkable success as one of the IPL’s most accomplished captains.
The news of Hardik Pandya’s appointment as the new captain didn’t go down well with fans, who were disappointed by the abrupt removal of Rohit Sharma, the most successful skipper in the team’s history. Rohit had led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles since 2013. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya rejoined Mumbai Indians after leading the Ahmedabad-based franchise to their first title in two seasons.
The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to kick off in the third week of March, running until the last week of May. Mumbai Indians have their sights set on clinching their sixth IPL title, aiming to reclaim their status as the league’s top and most successful team.
