Hardik is smiling too much, boos affecting his performance: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen said that outside noise has affected Hardik Pandya big time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ever since he replaced Rohit Sharma as the skipper of MI, he has faced severe criticism.

Hardik has been greeted with boos and crowd hostility when he has stepped out in matches at the Wankhede and Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

On Sunday, April 14, Hardik’s MI lost to Chennai by 20 runs at the iconic venue in Mumbai. The 30-year-old Hardik, himself, was not on top of his game as he leaked 26 runs in the last over and then got out after scoring only 2 runs. Pietersen said that the entire chaos has got to Hardik’s nerves and made a negative impact on his game.

‘Hardik doesn’t want to be treated like this’

“I think with Hardik Pandya everything away from the game is affecting him so much. He’s smiling too much when he is at the toss; he is trying to act like he is so happy. He’s not happy, I have been there, I have been in the firing line and I can tell you that it affects you,” Pietersen told Star Sports.