Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), already qualified for the playoffs, will aim to secure a top-two league stage finish when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash in Lucknow.
Shastri also advised Pandya to stay calm and weather the storm with solid performances.
Hardik Pandya is now the cynosure of all eyes after playing a crucial part in India's T20 World Cup and the recent ICC Champions Trophy wins.
'It is really special for me, for Virat Kohli, and all the fans.'
The spotlight was firmly on the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai as captains from all ten IPL franchises gathered for the official pre-season meet ahead of IPL 2025 on Thursday.
Mumbai Indians' new skipper Hardik Pandya Sunday took the six-run defeat to Gujarat Titans in their IPL opener on the chin, saying it was "not an issue" as there are 13 matches to go.
Rohit Sharma was delighted to make a critical contribution to Mumbai Indians' victory over Gujarat Titans in a must-win IPL Eliminator match.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya praised the team's scouting team for discovering left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar, who starred in the team's eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Kumar took four wickets on debut, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat in the IPL, and played a crucial role in restricting KKR to 116 runs.
Krunal Pandya has been the nucleus behind RCB's excellent showing in the middle overs throughout the season.
'At Keeladi, we have not come across any evidence for organised religion.'
Realised that captaincy sometimes is about instincts: Pandya
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya said a cricketer has to be a pure all-rounder to find place in the starting eleven due to the Impact Player rule.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday reprehended the fans booing Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya, saying it is not the fault of the player if he has replaced much-loved Rohit Sharma, who shepherded the team in previous seasons.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya said it was important to stay disciplined and humble following their sixth victory in a row.
Mumbai Indians have the upper hand given their current form despite having lost to CSK in their IPL season-opener in Chepauk.
Australia great Matthew Hayden hailed the selection of Krunal Pandya as a "smart pick" for the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp in this IPL season, adding that there is "something special" about the squad this year.
RCB were adamant to get a good bowling attack, it was a huge first step in winning IPL: Andy Flower
Will Jacks rewarded Mumbai Indians for the faith they showed in him despite a lean spell with bat and ball by helping them to a four-wicket win over struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya hit fifties to rally India in the rain-hit Asia Cup match in Pallekele on Saturday.
'Archaeological sites like Keeladi, having remained buried for 2,500 years, have come out and speak now.'
Struggling Mumbai Indians will be hoping their batters get their act together and shoulder responsibility when they take on an inspired Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League match in Mumbai on Monday.
Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat are celebrating her safe return to Earth with Diwali-like festivities. The village, Jhulasan, is alive with excitement and prayers for Williams' safe return after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station. A grand procession will be held in her honour, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks.
Hardik Pandya ditched tradition and brought back the streets-style swag - skipping the coin toss in favour of a classic gully cricket
India ended an 11-year-long ICC Trophy drought, beating South Africa by seven runs to claim the ICC T20 World Cup title for the second time on June 29 last year, in Barbados.
But in their pursuit of glory, both leaders must find a way to address the issues at hand.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's three best performing players in all the 17 IPLs (2008-2024).
Hardik Pandya's indifferent batting form in IPL 2024 is a big worry.
An in-form Mumbai Indians will be out for revenge having lost to Gujarat Titans earlier in the season.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya says he "won back" his fans following his match-winning contributions during the ICC T20 World Cup title triumph in the Caribbean last year.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna's excellent spell with the ball and Sai Sudharsan's fluent fifty inspired Gujarat Titans to a convincing 36-run victory against Mumbai Indians.
Sai Sudharsan upstaged some of the world's top batters as he topped the run scoring charts, while Prasidh Krishna was the most successful bowler of the season.
Krunal Pandya might just be the X-factor RCB have long been searching for in their quest for a maiden IPL title.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur on Sunday
Bumrah will miss a few initial games of the tournament as he is currently recuperating from a back injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence at Bengaluru.
The India all-rounder is yet to recover from his ankle injury that rendered him out of action last week.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be looking to secure play-off qualification as struggling Lucknow Super Giants aim to stay alive in the tournament when the two sides clash in the Indian Premier League match in Lucknow on Friday.
Members of the Indian cricket fraternity expressed deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families on Thursday after a London-bound Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.
'Love should compliment my journey and not define it.'
Hardik Pandya injured his left ankle during the match against Bangladesh in Pune.
"With Shubman, our vision is not limited to one or two seasons; it's long-term" - Gujarat Titans COO Colonel Arvinder Singh, on choosing Gill as captain over senior players
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