Pandya's Captaincy Under Fire: Bravado Not Working with Experienced Teammates, Says AB de Villiers

Hardik Pandya's captaincy style has been a topic of discussion during this year's Indian Premier League (IPL). Former South African skipper AB de Villiers recently shared his thoughts on Pandya's leadership approach, and it seems there's a difference of opinion.

De Villiers described Pandya's style as "quite bravado" and "ego-driven." According to him, Pandya often walks onto the field with his chest out, trying to exude confidence. However, De Villiers questioned the genuineness of this demeanor. He believes that while Pandya has decided that this is his way of captaincy, it might not resonate well with experienced players in the dressing room.


The comparison to MS Dhoni is inevitable. Dhoni, a legendary captain, is known for his calm and collected approach. De Villiers drew parallels between the two, highlighting that both captains have their chests out but in different ways. While Dhoni's demeanor is authentic and has worked effectively, Pandya's bravado might not be as convincing to seasoned players.

Interestingly, Pandya tasted success as a captain when he led a young Gujarat Titans team. However, his style hasn't translated well while leading the Mumbai Indians, who failed to make the playoffs this year. De Villiers emphasized that inexperienced players might be more inclined to follow bravado-style leadership, but veterans prefer a different approach—one that focuses on calmness and strategic input.

De Villiers also shared his personal experience playing under Graeme Smith in the national team. Smith's leadership was centered around team unity, and De Villiers appreciated the simplicity of following his lead. He acknowledged that Pandya's chest-out style isn't necessarily a negative trait but suggested that sometimes, as a batter, one needs to "fake it to make it."

It's worth noting that some senior Mumbai Indians players reportedly questioned the team's functioning under Pandya's leadership. The lack of buzz in the dressing room was attributed to his style. As the IPL continues, Pandya's captaincy will remain under scrutiny, and only time will tell if his approach can lead the team to success. 

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