Hardik Pandya had the worst possible start as captain of Mumbai Indians as his team squandered a straightforward shot at victory against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
In a dramatic twist of events, IPL 2024 witnessed a spectacle that was as much about cricket as it was about the emotions of fans and players alike. Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder, faced the ire of Mumbai Indians fans during a high-stakes match against Gujarat Titans at what was once considered his ‘home’ ground.
Hardik Pandya’s move to Mumbai Indians and his appointment as captain was met with mixed reactions. The controversy only intensified when Mumbai Indians faced Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.Playing in front of 90,000 spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Pandya and Mumbai had the perfect chance to put recent controversies behind them with a winning start to IPL 2024.
The game itself was a nail-biter. Mumbai Indians, chasing a target of 169, seemed to be cruising at 126-3 after 15 overs. However, the match took an unexpected turn as Gujarat Titans’ bowlers, led by the experienced Mohit Sharma and the young Aussie quick Spencer Johnson, pulled back the game, leaving Mumbai needing 19 off the last over.
Hardik Pandya, who had pushed himself down the order, came out to bat with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. He started the final over with a six and a four off Umesh Yadav, raising hopes for a miraculous victory. But it was not to be, as he fell to another short delivery, and Gujarat Titans clinched the win by six runs.
More than the defeat, it was the reaction of the crowd that became the talking point. Hardik Pandya, once the darling of the Gujarat crowd, was booed and jeered throughout the match. The fans also chanted Rohit Sharma’s name, indicating their displeasure with the change in leadership.
