[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]AB de Villiers critiques Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya, noting concerns about his “ego-driven” leadership style, which has reportedly unsettled senior players in the team.
Mumbai Indians’ current bottom-standing position in the points table has raised eyebrows, partly attributed to Pandya’s leadership following his takeover from Rohit Sharma for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. De Villiers, speaking on his YouTube channel, observed that while Pandya’s leadership may have been effective with a younger team like Gujarat Titans in previous seasons, it lacks efficacy with a team comprising seasoned players.
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De Villiers emphasized the importance of adapting leadership styles to suit the team’s composition, drawing parallels to his experience under former South African captain Graeme Smith. He suggested that Pandya may need to modify his approach to provide guidance and input rather than projecting bravado.
The critique does not undermine de Villiers’ admiration for Pandya’s playing style but underscores the challenge in gaining buy-in from senior players. “It takes a special senior player to buy into that,” de Villiers stated, suggesting a need for mutual understanding and respect within the team.
Ultimately, de Villiers highlighted the disconnect between Pandya’s leadership approach and the expectations of senior players within the Mumbai Indians squad, indicating room for improvement in team dynamics.
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