The Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians clash on April 18 created a lot of incidents to discuss. Apart from the DSR controversy and slow overrate fine, Mumbai’s deck is now overwhelmed with a positive sign of unity.
Though Mumbai made a crucial victory against PBKS, Rohit Sharma – Hardik Pandya’s actions were discussed widely on social media.
Apart from handing the fine from the board, fans also mistreated Hardik Pandya after he was named as the captain of the Mumbai Indians.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, Mumbai Indians traded Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans and named him as the captain of the team for the 2024 season. Though Mumbai Indians and Hardik Pandya received massive criticism from the IPL and Rohit Sharma fans, the franchise stood strong in their decision.
But Hardik was repeatedly booed by the fans wherever he played. Even in his home venue, Wankhede Stadium, Hardik faced the same. But in Mumbai’s last clash which was played against RCB, fans once again criticised Hardik when he walked down to bat but Virat Kohli stepped in and asked fans not to treat him badly.
The request from the star batter abruptly changed the environment where the crowd suddenly started to chant “Hardik, Hardik”.
But the fans have not yet accepted the franchise move and still criticize the allrounder in his every move. Even Mumbai Indians coach Kieron Pollard came forward to clarify this issue and showed his support for Hardik Pandya.
Along with him, Kevin Pietersen also showed his support for the all-rounder and said he is an Indian player and he doesn’t want to be treated like this.
But Rohit Sharma’s action towards Hardik Pandya following their last over thrilling victory against Punjab Kings shuts everyone’s argument about the split team inside Mumbai Indina’s dugout.
Moreover, before bowling the final over, Rohit Sharma set the field while Hardik Pandya simply accepted his senior’s words regarding the field set-up.
An absolute rollercoaster of a game in Mullanpur comes to an end! 🎢
And it’s the Mumbai Indians who emerge victorious in a nerve-wracking contest 🔥👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/m7TQkWe8xz#TATAIPL | #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/sLKVcBm9oy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2024
“Very good game of cricket. Everyone’s nerve got tested. We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game. Naturally you think you’re ahead in the game. But we knew IPL has a tendency to produce these games. Unbelievable – coming in and playing like that (Ashutosh’s knock).
Almost every ball hitting the middle. Happy for him and chuffed for his future. We did speak in the timeout that it doesn’t matter how good we look. We’ll keep scrapping in this game. We were quite soft in certain overs. Nevertheless, a win is a win,” Hardik said at the post-match press conference.
Mumbai Indians will play their next game of the season against Rajasthan Royals on April 22 in Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
