In a recent IPL 2024 match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians faced a tough defeat against Rajasthan Royals, leaving the home crowd disappointed. What made matters worse was the crowd’s reaction towards their captain, Hardik Pandya. From the very beginning, the crowd didn’t seem to be on his side, even during the coin toss.
Hardik Pandya, who had already faced booing in previous matches, had a challenging night as both captain and player. Despite his efforts, Mumbai Indians couldn’t put up a strong performance, managing only 125 runs on the board. Even notable players like Rohit Sharma couldn’t make a significant impact.
As the match progressed, the crowd’s disappointment turned into frustration, with loud boos directed at Pandya. The situation got so out of hand that broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar had to intervene, urging the crowd to calm down. However, it was Rohit Sharma who stepped up in a more subtle manner. While fielding, he was seen gesturing towards the crowd, signaling them to support Hardik Pandya.
Rohit Sharma was seen gesturing towards the crowd
Rohit Sharma’s intervention highlighted the pressure Pandya was under as the captain of the five-time champions. Despite his efforts with the bat, scoring a quickfire 34 runs, Pandya couldn’t steer his team to victory. The lack of support from other players added to his woes, with bowlers like Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal wreaking havoc on Mumbai’s batting lineup.
The defeat at Wankhede Stadium marked one of Mumbai Indians’ most disappointing losses at home. The team’s failure to perform both with the bat and the ball raised concerns among fans and critics alike. However, amidst the disappointment, Rohit Sharma’s gesture towards the crowd served as a reminder to support their captain during tough times.
The IPL season had been challenging for Hardik Pandya, facing criticism and pressure from all sides. Despite the setbacks, Pandya continued to give his best for the team. As the season progressed, Mumbai Indians hoped to bounce back from their defeat and regain their winning momentum.
