In another IPL encounter for the Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya faced yet more hostility from the crowd, a recurring theme since he took over as captain from Rohit Sharma. This time, it occurred at their home ground, the Wankhede Stadium. As Pandya stepped out for the toss against the Rajasthan Royals, fans expressed their disapproval with boos, while chants of ‘Rohit… Rohit’ echoed in the stadium.
Despite the initial negativity, Pandya’s performance with the bat swiftly turned the tide. His aggressive innings, including six boundaries in a quickfire 34 off 21 balls, garnered cheers from the crowd, shifting the mood from hostility to support. However, despite Pandya’s efforts, Mumbai Indians succumbed to a six-wicket defeat, posting a modest total of 125/9. The 29-year-old all-rounder, who assumed the captaincy from Rohit, has faced criticism from fans, particularly during previous matches in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
The crowd’s displeasure was evident even before the toss, as Pandya was booed during his warm-up routine. The jeers persisted as his name was announced, and during his interaction after losing the toss, prompting the presenter to intervene. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, in his training attire, was seen engaging with former teammate Harbhajan Singh, adding a poignant backdrop to the unfolding drama. As Pandya walked in to bat with Mumbai Indians struggling at 20/4, the disapproval from the stands, notably the Sachin Tendulkar stand, was palpable.
Rohit Sharma Encourages Crowd Support for Hardik Pandya
A video later surfaced showing Rohit seemingly urging the crowd to refrain from booing his successor, highlighting the support he extends to Pandya despite the circumstances. “The day Hardik wins a game for MI by contributing big, he’ll walk into the Wankhede to a hero’s welcome! Wankhede will soon chant ‘Navratri maa Daandiya, Wankhede maa Pandya’,” said Nish Navalkar, a member of the ‘North Stand Gang’ at the iconic venue.
Watch The Video Here :
Rohit asked the crowd to stop booing Hardik.
— Shivraj Verma (@Shivrajverma21) April 1, 2024
This is why Rohit Sharma is the Goat. And CHOKLI is CHOKLI#RohitSharma #HardikPandya #MIvsRR #MSDhoni𓃵 #chapri pic.twitter.com/lh0yPf0lAb
Furthermore, according to officials present, spectators were permitted entry into the stadium only after their banners were confiscated following a directive from the election commission to the Mumbai police. However, there seemed to be a degree of miscommunication and misunderstanding, as the directive specifically pertained to political banners, yet some fans expressed grievances on social media about all banners being confiscated. Despite this, a handful of fans managed to bring their banners into the stadium.
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