Hardik Pandya is gearing up for a defining season as the Indian all-rounder is set to once again take charge of Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2025. After a turbulent IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya now has a golden chance to silence his critics and reclaim his status as one of the brightest captains going around the world, according to Aakash Chopra.
Last season, Hardik’s return to Mumbai Indians sparked outrage among fans, as he replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain, leading to relentless boos at various venues throughout the season. His performance and leadership came under the radar as MI finished at the bottom of the points table.
Will IPL 2025 bring Hardik Pandya back into India’s captaincy race?
However, the star all-rounder made a stunning turnaround in the T20 World Cup 2024, playing a crucial role in India’s historic title triumph. Hardik’s heroics in national colors reignited fan support. However, despite his resurgence, Hardik was overlooked as Rohit Sharma’s successor, with the national selectors opting for Suryakumar Yadav as India’s new T20I captain.
Now, with the IPL spotlight back on him, the former Indian cricketer believes that Hardik has a chance to rewrite the script and cement his legacy as a leader as the MI skipper. The cricket pandit feels for Pandya, as he is completely overlooked for the captaincy despite being India’s go-to match-winner in crunch moments.
A golden chance for Hardik Pandya to silence critics in IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “The biggest opportunity is for Hardik Pandya. He was almost the heir apparent to Rohit Sharma at one point. He used to be the captain wherever Rohit Sharma wasn’t there. It was almost a given that he would be the white-ball captain. However, suddenly, he has gone out of the captaincy list.”
Chopra highlighted how Hardik is now not even considered for vice-captaincy. Despite guiding Gujarat Titans to an IPL title and helping India to win the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, his name is missing from leadership talks.
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The former Indian batter further added, “No one is even discussing him. He is not even being made the vice-captain. The guy has performed strongly. He is a clutch player. He is the one who delivers almost every single time in clutch situations. He won the Gujarat Titans the title and took them to the final the second year.”
Aakash Chopra predicts ‘biggest opportunity’ for Hardik Pandya
However, the cricket pundit reckoned that Hardik has a chance to redeem himself as Mumbai Indians’ captain in the upcoming IPL 2025, starting on March 22. Aakash Chopra believes that a strong season could bring Pandya back into the leadership race for India.
Chopra signed off by saying, “After that, suddenly, he is nowhere. He is not on the captaincy list. So, it will be a season of slight personal redemption for him. Can he, as a captain, take the Mumbai Indians to their former glory? Of course, there will be acceptance this time, but I think the biggest opportunity lies with Hardik Pandya.”
