Hardik's 'inadequate, scattered' bowling against Dhoni leaves legends fuming; 'Fitness' raises question amid T20WC audition | Cricket

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya's fitness has once again been questioned after the all-rounder conceded 26 runs in the final over of Chennai Super Kings' innings in the IPL 2024 clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Of those runs, 20 were scored by MS Dhoni, who hit three sixes to stitch another explosive innings that ultimately stood as the difference between the two teams, with MI losing the chase of 207 by exactly the same margin.

After this defeat, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan is furious HardikA decision to bowl the last over despite Akash Madhwal being impressive in the death overs MI, one over left. The former all-rounder was savaged for his inefficient bowling against the Mumbai skipper DhoniAs he questioned his ability to bowl slog overs.

“Hardik Pandya bowling the last over showed Akash Madhwal's lack of faith in his bowling and his own lack of skill as a death over bowler,” he tweeted.

Unlike Pathan, former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, in a conversation with Cricbuzz, did not criticize Hardik's decision to take the ball in the final over, saying it only showed his confidence, but felt that his “scattered” bowling against Dhoni showed it. Totally unfit to bowl.

“The only positive thing about Hardik Pandya and his bowling is that he was ready to accept the challenge. I'm the captain, I've had a crack but then he looks good, as we use in Australian sporting terms, you're not fluent enough. He doesn't look 100 per cent fit and if there's any doubt about his fitness,” Gilchrist said.

This is the second time experts have raised concerns about Hardik's bowling fitness amid auditions for the T20 World Cup. Earlier last week, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull accused Hardik of hiding after the MI captain bowled just one over in the previous three matches.

Even former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee was not critical of Hardik's decision to bowl the last over, but said “in hindsight, it was the wrong decision”.

He told Geo Cinemas: “If he comes in and bowls two-bit yorkers, holds him back for eight runs, wickets people, that's a fantastic cap scene. So I saw his ownership trying to take care of his bowler at the other end, mud wall, well, I didn't want to put him under any pressure. Half past twelve and going up, I do it myself. But it turns out that was not the right call. And he has to live through it. Have to live through it. “