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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has reached its playoff stage with the Kolkata Knight Riders, SunRisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru to fight for the silverware. Apart from them, the joint record five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians, had a forgettable season as they managed a wooden spoon finish. Commenting on MI's 2024 IPL season, former India and MI spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed that the decision to make Hardik Pandya captain backfired.
The Mumbai Indians hit a new low as they ended the IPL 2024 at the bottom of the points table with just eight points in 14 matches. Hardik Pandya-led MI lost 10 games this season while the rumours around a possible dispute between the senior players of the team and the all-rounder have also emerged.
Regarding the Mumbai-based franchise's dismal outing in the IPL 2024, India legend Harbhajan Singh told ANI, " I have played with Mumbai Indians for 10 years. The team management is great but this decision has backfired them. The management was thinking about the future while making Hardik Pandya the Captain but this did not set with the team."
He added, "When the team was playing, it seemed as if the Captain was playing differently and the entire team was different. I think the timing (of making Pandya the captain) was not right. Maybe this could have been done after a year. It is not Hardik Pandya's fault since he was the captain of Gujarat Titans as well. The team did not play collectively and the senior players should have made sure the team is united and it remains the same... "
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Harbhajan Singh backs Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant in T20 World Cup 2024
Apart from Hardik Pandya and MI, Harbhajan Singh also talked about the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 and backed Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson to play ahead of Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant, who is returning from an injury.
Harbhajan said, " Rishabh Pant was playing well in the IPL. After coming out of the injury, he looked fit, his wicket-keeping was good. Batting also was not at his best but it was good. So I think this decision is fine. But Sanju Samson is playing very well. So I would like to see Sanju Samson given a chance first because he is continuously performing well...It's good to see that Rishabh Pant is back. I hope Rishabh Pant plays well for India and does something special."
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