The 2024 Indian Premier League saw boos and harsh criticism directed on Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya in nearly every home game. During the match at Wankhede Stadium between the Rajasthan Royals and the all-rounder, Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricket player who is now a broadcaster, corrected the fans and advised them to “behave.”
The event happened during the toss and further infuriated the home supporters. Trolls were rife on social media, but neither Manjrekar nor the MI skipper released a statement. The 30-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator finally opened up after Pandya’s heroics in the recently finished T20 World Cup, saying he always thought Pandya was a big-stage player and challenged the audience to act accordingly.
How far has Hardik Pandya come? I told them to behave since this is a big-stage player when they were jeering and booing him during the IPL.
We have witnessed Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Rabada (as well) being removed from the game numerous times. Therefore, it was not surprising to see him succeed on the big stage as a champion, Manjrekar said ‘ESPNCricinfo’.
Even in that semifinal matchup with England, he in and scored 60 off 33 to give India some optimism. Thus, that is his main focus. You felt secure knowing that he wouldn’t lose his composure and would bowl properly in the final over, he said.
Hardik Pandya spoke candidly on the trying times following the Men in Blue’s victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, acknowledging that there would always be ups and downs in sports. He continued by saying that those six months were difficult and that he was unable to solve problems.
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“I desired to have those six months of my own.” I was not even able to identify what had happened to me. I had a lot of control. Though I wanted to cry, I refrained. I didn’t want to give my pain to others who were content with it. And I never will. Check out the outcome now. This was my opportunity to do so in the last over. I never would have thought this possible. After the game, Hardik Pandya told Star Sports, “I am speechless.”
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