Dale Steyn hints at Pandya’s diplomatic reactions to post-MI losses.
Veteran pacer Dale Steyn took an indirect dig at Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya for his measured responses following the team’s poor run in IPL 2022. Pandya has found the going tough leading an out-of-sorts MI who have suffered five losses from eight games to languish outside the playoff spots.
“I look forward to the day players might say what’s honestly on their minds. Instead, we somehow dumbed ourselves and our minds into saying the usual safe thing: lose the next game, smile, and repeat that nonsense,” Steyn tweeted, referencing Pandya after MI lost to RR on Monday.
The South African named Quentin de Kock was known to speak his mind, lauding his frankness.
Despite a dismal show in which MI was outplayed in all departments, Pandya put on a brave face, insisting that ‘prodigious learning’ from mistakes was key rather than blame games.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen too felt the boos were affecting Pandya, whose smiles pre and during matches seemed ‘forced.’
Under Pandya, MI has struggled to fire as a team collectively with even his performances lacking spark. More truthful feedback could aid course correction.
