The sort of adversity that Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has gone through during the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been beyond compare.
He was booed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during MI's opening game of IPL 2024 against Gujarat Titans (GT).
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on IPL action
The trend followed to Hyderabad, where the 30-year-old was jeered by the fans present at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium during Mumbai's clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
However, the loudest boos and whistles have come from Mumbai's very own supporters at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The boos were deafening during MI's first game of IPL 2024 in Mumbai at toss time for the game against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
That coincided with the Mumbai Indians not enjoying a good start to IPL 2024, losing their opening three encounters on the trot.
However, the fortunes seem to have turned around, with MI registering back-to-back wins to carry some positivity with them into the second half of the tournament. Coincidentally, both wins came at the Wankhede Stadium, a 29-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) and an emphatic seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
MORE: Why is Hardik Pandya not bowling much for MI in IPL 2024?
Wankhede crowd ignores Virat Kohli plea as Hardik Pandya gets booed during CSK clash
It seems that the Mumbai Indians faithful have still not gotten over the disappointment of Hardik replacing fan-favourite Rohit Sharma as the captain of the franchise for the current edition.
On Thursday, April 11, when Hardik was batting during MI's run chase, the Wankhede crowd once again expressed their discontentment with the former GT captain.
It took a special request from RCB player Virat Kohli for the boos to dissipate. Kohli, who has made similar requests to the crowd in the past, asked the Wankhede crowd to not boo Hardik. He asked the Indian fans to applause for Steve Smith at the 2019 World Cup, too.
The crowd instantly obeyed Kohli's request and cheered for Hardik, producing "Hardik, Hardik" chants.
The Wankhede crowds chanting and cheering for Hardik Pandya after Virat Kohli's gesture for him.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) April 11, 2024
- This is beautiful to see, Well done King Kohli..!!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nSI8IBWCIF
However, it didn't take long for the Wankhede crowd to forget Kohli's plea, as Hardik was welcomed with vicious booing during toss time ahead of the Mumbai's encounter against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday, April 14.
As soon as Ravi Shastri said Hardik Pandya, Wankhede started booeing him.
— 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝕏 (@ImHydro45) April 14, 2024
Rohit Sharma is a revolution ! 🔥🫡pic.twitter.com/oIEy6CxgSz
Hardik was booed not once, but twice, as the crowd's relentlessness came to the fore yet again after Hardik came on to bowl in the 10th over of CSK's innings.
Pandya comes onto bowl
— Vikkash S (@vikkash36) April 14, 2024
Wankhede: Booooo pic.twitter.com/t2u9kwEYiY
Later on, Pandya was also booed as he walked out to bat at number five, with MI chasing 130/3 chasing 207. He did not last long, scoring just two off six deliveries.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >