Sunil Gavaskar hailed Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, for his extraordinary performance in the IPL 2025. He said that Pandya lacked fan support last year, but his performances have improved.
Pandya has led from the front this season, winning over fans after receiving criticism and boos last year. He has contributed with both bat and ball.
Mumbai Indians encountered difficulties at the start of the season, losing four of their first five matches. However, they bounced back and secured victories in six consecutive matches.
Gavaskar emphasized that Pandya’s leadership and composed demeanor have once again garnered him loyal fan support, illustrating his emotional composure throughout the season.
“What we’ve observed from last year to this year is that he’s now receiving strong support from the crowd. Last year, he might have felt a bit unsettled by the lack of backing from the Mumbai crowd and fans,” Gavaskar mentioned during a Star Sports Press Room session.
“But this year, the crowd is fully supporting him. They’re all encouraging him to go all the way and win. They have one more home game on the 21st, and that will be the real test of how they recover. His composure on the field, without letting emotions take over, is a big part of that.”
Sunil Gavaskar praised Hardik Pandya for staying calm despite misfields and dropped catches. He expressed hope that the team would win the tournament.
“When there’s been a misfield or a dropped catch, he’s simply turned around and returned to his position without any visible frustration. Often, when a captain shows signs of frustration, it can make the fielders anxious.
“But he hasn’t let that happen. That’s one of the reasons why Mumbai Indians have managed such a strong comeback. It’s something they are known for. As a Mumbai Indians supporter, I’m hopeful they’ll continue their strong momentum and secure another win this year,” Gavaskar added.