Renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has made a controversial comment saying that the Ahmedabad crowd should boo Hardik Pandya when the all-rounder leads the Mumbai Indians in their encounter with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024.
Earlier this week, the BCCI released the schedule for the first 21 matches, and the rest of the schedule will be released later, considering the election dates in various parts of the country.
March 23 will see the blockbuster clash between Gujarat Titans, now led by Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The IPL 2024 trading window, ahead of the auction, buzzed with excitement as Hardik Pandya returned to the Mumbai Indians, where he spent 7 seasons from 2015 to 2021. This was a huge move considering Hardik Pandya had captained Gujarat to two consecutive IPL finals, winning one trophy.
Hoping that Hardik Pandya goes for the toss and people go ‘Boo’: Aakash Chopra
Speaking with Jio Cinema, Aakash Chopra reportedly made a sensationalizing comment, encouraging the Ahmedabad crowd to boo Hardik. Chopra recalled one incident from IPL 2008 when he and Ajit Agarkar, who is from Mumbai, played in Mumbai for KKR, and Agarkar got booed by the Mumbai crowd.
Chopra reckons the Ahmedabad crowd must feel ‘hurt’ that Hardik left them and went back to Mumbai.
“I want Hardik Pandya to get booed in Ahmedabad. I’ll tell you why. First IPL season, Mumbai vs Kolkata. We were playing at the Wankhede Stadium. Ajit Agarkar was in our team and we had to take him off the boundary because he was Mumbai’s boy, playing against Mumbai, in Mumbai and getting booed by the Wankhede crowd. So we put him back inside the circle because it was not nice,” Chopra said.
“Now Hardik Pandya goes to Mumbai after winning the championship once, leading the team to the final the next time. And not just that but choosing to leave the franchise. If there isn’t any heartburn in the public of Ahmedabad, if they don’t feel hurt, where is the fun? I am expecting. No, I am hoping – don’t tell anyone – that Hardik goes for the toss and people go ‘Boo’. That’s where the league matures,” Chopra added.
The IPL 2024 starts on March 22 with CSK hosting RCB.
Also Read: IPL 2024: 3 Fast Bowlers Gujarat Titans Can Pick As Replacement Of Mohammed Shami
