In the debut season of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 Captain Hardik Pandya lost his cool over one senior member of the team & the whole incident came into the limelight today. The senior member with whom Hardik Pandya misbehaved was none other than India’s veteran pacer Mohammed Shami. And Shami opened up about the entire incident in a podcast episode. Hardik Pandya shouted over Shami after a clumsy attempt in fielding which didn’t go well with Shami. But kept his calm over the incident & after the fixture spoke to him about it.
In a podcast with Gaurav Kapoor, Shami was asked about the same incident & the pacer spoke about it openly. Shami said that the way Hardik Pandya shouted at him he didn’t feel good. And after the fixture, Shami made a point of speaking about it to Hardik & the management. Shami said to Hardik & the management that he doesn’t like to be lashed by anyone on the field when the camera is on every player.
“Once Hardik had reacted aggressively towards me. At that time, I had told him ‘Bhai, Bahaut badi zimmedari hai. Management bhi aaya tha mere paas. Mai bolne wala insan hu nahi. Mai kisi se matlab hai nahi. Mujhe abhi job se matlab hai. Mujhe mere kaam se matab hai. Lekin mujhe ye gande reactions, screen pe nahi chahiye. Aap kuch kaho, mai kuch kahu, fir team ke mahaul pe baat aa jati hai. Toh woh create nahi karna hai. Us din ke baad usne kuch react nahi kiya,” said Shami.
How is the bond between Hardik Pandya & Mohammed Shami?
Both Hardik & Shami are playing for India & they have not taken up the past incident in their present. They are playing well & together for the country & respect each other. They understand the fact that team spirit & being a team player is an integral part of this sport.
Recently after Hardik’s stint was cut short in the World Cup 2023 it was Mohammed Shami who replaced him in the OPlaying XI. The veteran pacer kept up with the team’s expectations by displaying an outstanding show with the ball. Shami took 24 wickets at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20, with the best figures of 7/57. He also ended the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.
In the upcoming IPL 2024, both Hardik & Shami will play for two other teams. So they will come opposite to each other in the upcoming edition of the league. Hardik Pandya has been traded to Mumbai Indians for a whopping amount of 12 crores. Notably, he will lead the Mumbai Indians clan with the management replacing him as the Captain of the team replacing Rohit Sharma.
The veteran Captain who led Mumbai Indians for 10 years will now give the reins to Hardik Pandya. The decision was taken after Mumbai Indians failed to make it to the knockouts in the last two seasons.
Whether a transition in leadership address their title woes or the management will regret their decision? Share with us your thoughts on Hardik Pandya as a Captain & leader.
Also read, SA vs IND 1st Test Live Score, South Africa vs India Preview
