New Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has once again come into the firing line of the fans after a video went viral in which he can be seen lying on a bench while Lasith Malinga and other MI support staff speak to him. Fans believe the all-rounder disrespected the Sri Lankan legend and the MI staff.
Hardik Pandya has already been a target of a huge number of Mumbai Indians fans after he was appointed as their new skipper ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, replacing Rohit Sharma, who led MI to all their glory of five IPL titles. It was an interesting move, more so now that Rohit is still India’s all-format captain and is confirmed to lead the side in the T20 World Cup in June.
Now, this viral video has further sparked the furore of the fans, all of which is targeted against Pandya.
In the video from Mumbai Indians’ training camp, Lasith Malinga and two other MI staff members can be seen talking with the new MI captain while Hardik is casually lying on the bench. Fans didn’t like this “attitude” of Hardik’s.
One fan commented: “This is what I dislike about Hardik Pandya. Look at the attitude, he is sitting and a legend like Malinga is standing infront of him. Just look at the body language, pathetic. Mumbai Indians you got a wrong men in.”
Check the video here and fans’ reactions:
https://x.com/Ctrlmemes_/status/1768340273812353448?s=20
Another fan opined: “He doesn’t respect anyone. It’s as simple as that! Not only this video, his overall behaviour is all about “I, me & myself”. Real bad choice by @mipaltan!”
Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are good friends: Malinga
Earlier in the day, an interview of Malinga had gone viral, in which the MI bowling coach said there are no issues between the players amid the captaincy shift in the franchise.
Malinga stated: “Rohit and Hardik are good friends. He went to GT and won the IPL, then finished runner-up. So, he has good experience and he has a good bond with boom (Bumrah), Rohit. We have a good unit.”
Mumbai Indians’ first match will be against Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya’s previous team, in Ahmedabad. GT are now being led by Shubman Gill.
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