Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is copping a lot of criticism for his captaincy after his team's successive defeats in their first two matches of IPL 2024.
But the all-rounder has immense belief in his team and is confident of bouncing back in the competition, as was evident in his motivational speech after MI's 31-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 8 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday night.
The high-scoring match saw SRH post the highest ever total in the IPL - 277 for 3 in 20 overs - which they defended by restricting MI to 246 for 5 to register their first win of the season.
The defeat sent MI down to 9th position on the points table with two losses from as many games.
Tendulkar praises the batters
But the dressing room atmosphere remained positive even after the loss. Team mentor Sachin Tendulkar kept the spirits up by highlighting how the match was evenly poised till the half-way mark while Pandya praised the bowlers despite all of them going for plenty in the first innings.
"Inspite of scoring 277, 10 overs down the line nobody knew who was a clear winner. The game was very much open. The target was very much achievable, that's a clear cut sign that we've batted really well.
"So let's stick together, tighter. There are going to be tougher moments, we will stick together as a group and pull it through," Tendulkar told the players.
Captain cheers up his bowlers
Pandya reiterated the Master Blaster's words by urging the team to get together as a group and fight the upcoming challenges together.
"The toughest soldiers get the toughest test. And we are the toughest team in the competition. Anyone who could have come even close to where we reached, as a batting group or just overall as Mumbai Indians are us.
"Something I'm really proud of is our bowlers. Even when the day was tough I didn't see anyone running away. Everyone wanted the ball and I think that's a good sign. So let's make sure we help each other throughout whatever happens. Worst, bad, good, we will manage it together and we'll be together," Pandya said.
MI's chance to bounce back in front of home fans
MI will next face the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on April 1. This will be MI's first home game of this season and it couldn't have come at a better time if they manage to overturn their campaign and bounce back in front of their own fans.
