IPL 2024 | "Mumbai Indians' story is finished": Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan, Mumbai Indians (Pic: File Pic)

Following the Kolkata Knights Riders' victory against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024 match at the Wankhede Stadium, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that MI's story is finished in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Sharing a video on his official Instagram handle, Irfan said MI had a good side on paper but failed to manage it well. He added questions on Hardik Pandya's captaincy is valid.

"Mumbai Indians' story is finished in the IPL 2024. They were a very good team on paper but they have not been managed well. Questions on Hardik Pandya's captaincy are absolutely valid. Today when KKR were 57/5, you bowled 3 bowlers of Naman Dhir. You bowled your 6th bowler, let KKR form a crucial partnership between Manish Pandey and Venkatesh Iyer. The 83-run partnership took KKR to 170 when they should have only got to 150 and that turned out to be the point of difference," Pathan said.

Also Read: IN PHOTOS | IPL 2024, RCB vs GT: Here's all you need to know

Following the captaincy controversy of Hardik Pandya, Irfan said that the players need to accept him as a captain and that it has not happened for Paltan in the IPL 2024.

"Cricket is a game where captaincy and management is crucial and MI at the moment are not playing as a team and that's the biggest talking point of the season for MI. It is important for the players to accept their captain and I don't think it has happened for MI this season," he added.

Despite, claiming two wickets for 44 runs, Hardik Pandya failed to put on a show with the willow as he managed to score just one run in three deliveries.

Coming to the IPL 2024, put to bat first, a solid partnership stand of 83 runs between Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) guided KKR to 169. For MI, Jasprit Bumrah returned with a double-wicket over before ending with a spell of 3 for 18 in 3.5 overs.

In reply, MI were bundled out for 145. Starc made a terrific comeback in the tournament with a figure of 4-33 in just 3.5 spells, handing KKR a 24-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine both finished with identical figures of 2/22, including some big wickets in the first half of the chase which put KKR on top in the match.

Following the win, KKR stood in second place on IPL 2024 standings with 14 points. Meanwhile, MI hold the ninth place with 6 points to their name.

(With ANI Inputs)