Former West Indies batsman and captain Brian Lara had a piece of advice for Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya as to how he can make the Ahmedabad crowd go shut. Pandya, who was with Gujarat Titans until last season, was booed and jeered the entire time last night during MI’s 6-run loss to GT, which is now led by one and only Shubman Gill.
Right from the coin toss at the Narendra Modi stadium to the time he came to bowl and then came to bat, the Ahmedabad crowd had no love or respect for Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder is the franchise’s first captain who delivered the IPL title in only his first season in charge and then also took them to the final last year. However, his decision to head back to the team where it all started for him, is not at all appreciated by the fans.
The entire match last night was cinematic, especially the way it ended. Hardik Pandya had he scored those crucial winning runs in the final over, he would have walked out of the World’s largest stadium as GT’s biggest villain. But as of now, he is turning out to be a subject of criticism and hatred from the Mumbai fans.
Brian Lara, Ian Bishop, and Kevin Pietersen discuss Hardik Pandya’s reception in Ahmedabad
It was not just the English commentary that shocked or took aback, but the commentary boxes of every language that IPL is being televised in were surprised to come across Hardik Pandya’s reception in Ahmedabad. Former India batter Aakash Chopra had even said that he wants the crowd inside the stadium to boo their former captain, otherwise, there won’t be any element of fun.
Legendary West Indies figures – Ian Bishop and Brian Lara were along with former RCB and DC captain Kevin Pietersen in the English box when the boos were at its peak. It was in the 12th over of the 1st innings during Gujarat’s batting when Pietersen exclaimed that he had never seen anything like this.
By that, he wanted to say that during his time as an IPL commentator, he had never seen an Indian player get booed like the way Hardik Pandya is being done in Ahmedabad. Pietersen also called that moment “rare”. Then Ian Bishop jumped in and asked what Hardik possibly do to win the hearts of Gujarati fans.
“I have never seen any Indian player getting booed like they are booing Hardik Pandya here in Ahmedabad. This is a rare happening.” – Pietersen said via Star Sports.
“What can he do to win them back?” – Bishop asked. To that, Brian Lara gave a fitting response by saying that he will be cleansed of his sins when he comes back to this stadium wearing the India jersey. “Play for India….the next time they play here.” – Lara concluded the discussion.
MI to travel to Hyderabad next
Meanwhile, after enduring the 6-run loss last night despite reaching so close to the victory, Hardik Pandya’s side will now travel to Hyderabad for a clash against the Sunrisers. MI and SRH both will be looking to open their winning account on March 27th at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium.
