In the IPL 2024 clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Titans, newly appointed Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya faced a challenging night as his team suffered a narrow 6-run defeat against his former franchise. Pandya, leading Mumbai Indians for the first time, encountered a surprising turn of events as he was subjected to booing from fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This unexpected reaction prompted commentary from renowned cricket personalities, including ex-England captain Kevin Pietersen and West Indies legend Ian Bishop. Commentator Kevin Pietersen expressed his surprise at the unusual occurrence, remarking, “I have never seen any Indian player getting booed like they are booing Hardik Pandya here in Ahmedabad. This is a rare happening.”
Ian Bishop echoed similar sentiments, pondering over what Pandya could do to regain the support of the crowd. In response to Bishop’s inquiry, cricket legend Brian Lara humorously suggested, “Play for India….the next time they play here,” eliciting laughter from Bishop and Pietersen. Despite the disappointing outcome for Mumbai, Hardik Pandya remained optimistic, emphasizing that there were still 13 more matches left in the league campaign.
Ahmedabad crowd calling Hardik Pandya 'chhapri' 😳 #ipl #HardikPandya #chapri #GTvMI pic.twitter.com/0QKEgHZrJY
— Lalit Kumar (@Lalit96L) March 25, 2024
“I completely back him” – Hardik Pandya on Tilak Varma
Reflecting on the match, Pandya acknowledged the team’s failure to maintain momentum in the final five overs but remained confident in their abilities to bounce back in the subsequent games. He also praised the vibrant atmosphere at the stadium and acknowledged the enthusiasm of the crowd. Addressing a specific moment in the game when player Tilak Varma declined to take a single run, Pandya supported his teammate’s decision.
He said, “I think Tilak felt that was a better idea at that point of time. I completely back him. Not an issue, (we have) 13 games to go.”
In summary, the IPL 2024 match between the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Titans saw Hardik Pandya facing challenges both on and off the field, with unexpected booing from the crowd.
However, Pandya remained resilient, focusing on the opportunities ahead in the tournament. The commentary team’s reactions to the incident added an intriguing layer to the match narrative, showcasing the significance of crowd support in cricket. Despite the setback, Mumbai Indians remained determined to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures, demonstrating their unwavering confidence in their abilities.
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