Hardik Pandya Faces Criticism: 'You Don't Play For India, State And Get In IPL Directly,' Says Ex-MI Player
The forthcoming Indian Premier League ( IPL ) season looms large, and one of its most compelling narratives is the changing of the guard within the Mumbai Indians . With the five-time champions set to embark on their campaign, a new leader will steer the ship: Hardik Pandya . Previous skipper Rohit Sharma transitions into a pure batting role.
The decision to alter the captaincy has sparked fervent debate leading up to IPL 2024, leaving many to ponder whether Pandya can effectively lead his former franchise.
In a widely circulated video on social media, former Indian cricket team player Praveen Kumar weighed in on the contentious issue of Mumbai Indians' captaincy switch.
"Did MI take a hurried decision? Or, the decision to make Hardik Pandya captain was the right one?" queried Praveen Kumar, a seasoned campaigner who has plied his trade for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab.
"You don't play two months before, you get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things work. It's okay to earn money, who is stopping you? There's nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL", retorted Praveen.
The former speedster advised budding cricketers to prioritize international cricket over the glitz of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and strive for a balanced approach to their careers.
"I have been saying this for long. Paisa kamao, kaun mana kar rha hai? Paisa kamane chahiye lekin aise bhi nahi hona chahiye ki aap domestic nahi khel rahe, country ko importance nahi de rahe. (Earn money, who is stopping you? But it shouldn't be like you are not playing for the country or domestic cricket). This thing is now firmly in the mind of players. Mai ek mahine pehle rest kar lunga, fir IPL khel lunga. Ye mentally hota hai, ki mai itne paise kaise chodun (Will rest for a month before the IPL and then play. This happens because mentally you are not willing to let go of that money). But this is not fair at all. A player needs to balance things. Money is important, but this (giving franchise cricket the priority) is wrong," Praveen had articulated to the Times of India.
The decision to alter the captaincy has sparked fervent debate leading up to IPL 2024, leaving many to ponder whether Pandya can effectively lead his former franchise.
In a widely circulated video on social media, former Indian cricket team player Praveen Kumar weighed in on the contentious issue of Mumbai Indians' captaincy switch.
"Did MI take a hurried decision? Or, the decision to make Hardik Pandya captain was the right one?" queried Praveen Kumar, a seasoned campaigner who has plied his trade for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab.
"You don't play two months before, you get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things work. It's okay to earn money, who is stopping you? There's nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL", retorted Praveen.
The former speedster advised budding cricketers to prioritize international cricket over the glitz of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and strive for a balanced approach to their careers.
"I have been saying this for long. Paisa kamao, kaun mana kar rha hai? Paisa kamane chahiye lekin aise bhi nahi hona chahiye ki aap domestic nahi khel rahe, country ko importance nahi de rahe. (Earn money, who is stopping you? But it shouldn't be like you are not playing for the country or domestic cricket). This thing is now firmly in the mind of players. Mai ek mahine pehle rest kar lunga, fir IPL khel lunga. Ye mentally hota hai, ki mai itne paise kaise chodun (Will rest for a month before the IPL and then play. This happens because mentally you are not willing to let go of that money). But this is not fair at all. A player needs to balance things. Money is important, but this (giving franchise cricket the priority) is wrong," Praveen had articulated to the Times of India.
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