Mumbai Indians stirred up a storm by reclaiming Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans, an act that left Rohit Sharma supporters and MI loyalists reeling. The decision to appoint Pandya as captain in place of Sharma further fueled dissent among the faithful, who felt a sense of disrespect towards their beloved skipper. The backlash against Pandya was increasing, with jeers and boos raining down upon him from Rohit Sharma devotees during Mumbai Indians’ inaugural match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. It showed Sharma’s iconic status within the Mumbai Indians franchise.
In a twist of fate, Mumbai Indians found themselves facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad, marking Sharma’s milestone 200th IPL match for the team. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Pandya could scarcely anticipate the onslaught that awaited his team. Travis Head unleashed havoc, notching 62 runs off just 24 deliveries, while Abhishek Sharma added to the carnage with a blistering 63 off 23 balls. Markram and Klaasen further compounded Mumbai Indians’ misery, propelling Sunrisers Hyderabad to a monumental total of 277 runs, a record-breaking figure in IPL history.
Watch: Hyderabad Crowd Gave “Chapri” And “Rohit” Taunts To Hardik Pandya When He Got Out
Undeterred, Mumbai Indians launched a spirited chase, amassing 246 runs for the loss of five wickets. Despite valiant efforts from Sharma, Kishan, Dhir, Varma, and David, the target remained elusive, falling short by 31 runs. Hardik Pandya, entrusted with leadership and batting responsibilities, faltered with the bat, managing a modest 24 runs off 20 deliveries.
As Hardik Pandya faced yet another dismissal, the Hyderabad crowd showered him with “Chapri” and “Rohit” taunts, echoing a trend seen elsewhere. It seems Pandya is in for a challenging IPL 2024, encountering such reception wherever he plays. With every outing, the pressure mounts on Pandya, as his struggles draw attention and criticism. The taunts from the Hyderabad crowd signal a tough road ahead for him in the tournament.
Sendoff given by Hyderabad to Hardik Pandya which he will remember for his life
Never mess with Rohit Sharma fans 😘 #MIvsSRH #srhvsmi pic.twitter.com/2xlu9ut5jP
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) March 27, 2024
