Hardik Pandya’s Debut as MI Captain In his first match as the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI), Hardik Pandya faced a tough crowd in Ahmedabad, his former home ground. The audience didn’t give him a warm welcome, and the match against Gujarat Titans (GT) ended in a disappointing six-run defeat for MI.
Crowd Teases Hardik Pandya Despite having played for the Titans last season, Pandya couldn’t avoid the disapproval of the Ahmedabad crowd. Videos circulating online showed fans booing him and even resorting to insults. This unfriendly reception made Pandya’s captaincy debut challenging.
MI’s Struggle in the Chase MI had a good chance during the chase, restricting the Titans to a modest total of 168/6. But with only 43 runs needed off the last five overs and seven wickets in hand, MI suffered a dramatic batting collapse and ended up with just 162/9.
Hardik Pandya Remains Resilient Despite the defeat, Pandya remained resilient, looking ahead to the long season by acknowledging that there were still 13 games to go. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, the new captain of the Gujarat team, had a stellar debut, displaying excellent leadership skills, especially in his use of medium-pacer Mohit Sharma during the crucial overs.
Fan Reactions The internet was abuzz with reactions from fans after the match. Many videos emerged showing the Ahmedabad crowd’s hostility towards Pandya, with boos and disrespectful remarks like ‘chapri.’
Controversy Surrounding Mohammed Shami Mohammed Shami, India’s pace bowling spearhead, who is currently sidelined due to an ankle surgery, found himself embroiled in controversy. He liked a tweet that seemed to mock Hardik Pandya, accusing him of faking an injury to skip the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. India had a successful run in the tournament, reaching the final but finishing as runners-up.
In conclusion, Hardik Pandya’s debut as MI captain was marred by a hostile crowd and a disappointing loss. Despite the challenges, Pandya remained focused, looking forward to the rest of the season. However, controversies surrounding players like Mohammed Shami added to the drama surrounding the match.
