Commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has landed himself in hot trouble with the fans for asking the Wankhede crowd to “behave” for Hardik Pandya at the toss of the MI vs RR match.
Mumbai Indians hosted Rajasthan Royals on Monday evening at the Wankhede stadium, and Hardik Pandya, the new MI captain who replaced Rohit Sharma at the helm of the franchise, got booed heavily when he was introduced by Manjrekar at toss.
Such a reception was, honestly, expected given what we had seen in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad with Rohit fans expressing their anger and unhappiness at Pandya replacing Rohit as the MI skipper.
However, what was not expected was a commentator asking or telling the crowd to “behave”.
Upon introducing Hardik Pandya at toss, Sanjay Manjrekar said, “Big round of applause to Mumbai Indians Captain Hardik Pandya.” And as the crowd started to boo, he said, “Behave”.
[Video] Sanjay Manjrekar Tells Wankhede Crowd To “Behave” For Hardik Pandya At Toss
![[Video] Sanjay Manjrekar Tells Wankhede Crowd To "Behave" For Hardik Pandya At Toss; Gets Slammed By Fans](https://thecricketlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7737.webp)
🚨 Toss 🚨@rajasthanroyals win the toss and elect to bowl against @mipaltan #TATAIPL | #MIvRR pic.twitter.com/pziDfHNIci
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 1, 2024
Fans on social media couldn’t believe that Manjrekar told the crowd to “behave”.
Fans slammed Manjrekar:
Manjrekar asking the crowd to "behave" for Hardik Pandya???
Man why is it always Mumbai former cricketers, journalists and commentators who can never hide their bias for their professions which require them to be neutral?#IPL2024 #MIvRR
— Rudransh Khurana (@rudraaaansh) April 1, 2024
What? Sanjay Manjrekar really asked the crowd to “Behave”?
Fans have every right to express their emotions until it is done in a respectable way without being abusive. You can still request the crowd, but NOBODY has any right to tell what the fans are supposed to do. #MIvsRR
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) April 1, 2024
Sanjay Manjrekar asking fans to 'behave'.
Next time fans should ask his permission to cheer for a particular player or team, or even go to the washroom.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) April 1, 2024
Sanjay Manjrekar asking crowd not to boo Hardik Pandya pic.twitter.com/lfb5eniqDO
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 1, 2024
Sanjay Manjrekar asked Wankhede crowd not to boo Hardik Pandya
Crowd to Manjrekar: pic.twitter.com/hy6DK4SH6z
— chacha monk (@oldschoolmonk) April 1, 2024
Nobody obeyed Manjrekar, though, and the booing only got louder once Hardik started speaking.
Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first in Mumbai.
Hardik said, “We were planning to bowl first. It’s quite exciting to be a part of this game. We always look forward to the future, need to follow the process. Looking forward to playing a brand of cricket everyone enjoys. Playing the same team.”
Teams:
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Tim David, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Kwena Maphaka
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Nandre Burger, Yuzvendra Chahal
