Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Mohammad Kaif has stated that it was a blunder by Hardik Pandya to leave the Gujarat Titans (GT). Notably, Hardik moved from GT to Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2024 season in a high-profile, all-cash trade.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif reckoned that the ace all-rounder went backwards in his performance and captaincy during his second stint at MI. However, the former RCB batter is hopeful of Pandya keeping aside his second stint with MI and moving forward.
“It was a blunder by Hardik to leave GT. I think it was an emotional call. He had a connection with MI, and maybe that drew him back. It is always a tough call. You made GT champions and were the king there. But that decision hurt him. He went backwards in his performance and captaincy. It would be better for him to forget the second part with MI as soon as he can and move forward,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
On Wednesday, November 11, MI and Punjab Kings (PBKS) were involved in a major trade deal with Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh. Kaif further noted that Hardik would aim to regain his form as a batter, bowler and finisher without captaincy pressure.
“Many players want captaincy. But a lot of them do not perform well under the pressure of captaincy. It is not everybody’s cup of tea. It is even more difficult in the IPL anyway. It will be good for Hardik that he is not captain. At PBKS, he should look to regain his form as a batter, a bowler, and a finisher. There is no doubt that he is a great player. So it is good that he is not the captain. He can focus on his game. Being an all-rounder and a captain is all the more difficult,” he added.
Pandya will join PBKS at a fee of INR 18 crore, up from his existing fee of INR 16.35 crore, while Arshdeep will join MI at his existing fee of INR 18 crore.
