"He Really Has To Hit His Straps" - Shane Watson Wants Hardik Pandya To Step Up Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2024

Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson mentioned that Hardik needed to step up his game in MI's last match of the season. Watson noted that Hardik had a disappointing performance this season with the ball (11 wickets in 11 innings at 10.58 runs per over) and the bat (200 runs in 12 innings, averaging 18.18). Watson emphasized the need for Hardik to regain form, especially with the bat, as the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches. Led by star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, MI is currently at the bottom of the table with 8 points from 13 matches. The Mumbai-based franchise will be highly disappointed with their performance in this edition. They were the first team to be officially eliminated in the IPL 2024 season.

Shane Watson wants Hardik Pandya to step up ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was made the vice-captain of the India T20 World Cup squad under pressure from BCCI officials, who see him as a potential future captain. However, Shane Watson was disheartened by the horrible performance of the MI captain. Watson emphasized the need for Hardik to regain form, especially with the bat, as the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches. 

"I have got this feeling that Hardik Pandya has really got to step up in the last game and really exert his dominance. The T20 World Cup is not too far away, and he really has to hit his straps, especially with the bat," Shane Watson said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator Shane Watson encouraged Mumbai to put on a spectacular show for their home fans one last time this season. He emphasized that despite a disappointing campaign, a lot is still at stake, especially with a large Wankhede crowd expected to cheer them on. The Mumbai Indians (MI) are all geared up to lock horns with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 67th match of the IPL 2024 season at the Wankhede Stadium on May 17.

"They have got so much to play for. They have been very disappointing this season. With the calibre of players that they have got in their unit, in front of their home crowd, they would want to put up a big show for their home fans," Watson added.

The star all-rounder has had a poor IPL 2024 campaign as captain of Mumbai Indians. The reported rift between Rohit and Hardik in the Mumbai camp has only added fuel to the fire. The latter took over MI's captaincy despite Rohit lifting the title five times with the Mumbai-based franchise. Speculations suggest that the MI dressing room is divided, with some players supporting Rohit Sharma over the newly-appointed Hardik. 

The potential change in leadership within the Indian T20I setup seems to be causing some discomfort. As a result, the 30-year-old, who is being fast-tracked as a future India captain, will be watched closely during India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. India are also part of Group A along with Pakistan and Ireland. The Men in Blue will begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5.

India T20 World Cup 2024 squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.