Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians (MI) changing Rohit Sharma as skipper initially sparked anger amongst followers.The transition was not well-received, and Pandya confronted the brunt of the followers’ discontent. It had a detrimental impact on his private sport, apart from five-time IPL champions MI enduring certainly one of their poorest seasons.
Moreover, there have been unconfirmed studies of a separation from his spouse, Natasa Stankovic, including to the non-public challenges he confronted.
When Pandya first led the Mumbai Indians aspect in Ahmedabad for his or her season opener, he was met with boos, heckles, and negativity from the followers. Even at his first residence match on the Wankhede Stadium, the harshest response awaited him through the toss. The scenario escalated to the purpose the place commentator and former India and Mumbai cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar needed to intervene, urging the group to “behave” throughout a toss in opposition to Rajasthan Royals.
Nevertheless, the tide turned dramatically with Pandya delivering India’s T20 World Cup-winning over within the remaining in opposition to South Africa, ending with three wickets to guide India’s bowling charts within the title conflict.
As Pandya landed on the Wankhede Stadium on Thursdya after India’s victory parade via the Marine Drive in Mumbai, he was greeted by deafening cheers from an enormous sea of followers filling the stadium. The previous negativity had been changed by overwhelming help and admiration for the resilient cricketer who had overcome a lot to succeed in this level.
“See you quickly, Wankhede,” wrote the World Cup champion as he posted his selfie with the trophy earlier than the parade right here.
The stadium erupted with chants of ‘Hardik… Hardik’, echoing via the stands.
Because the crew arrived on the airport, Pandya was among the many first to emerge, proudly holding the trophy excessive on his shoulder. He led the way in which to his ‘homeground’, the place hundreds of followers had been ready for hours to catch a glimpse of the coveted prize.
Regardless of issues about potential chaos and stampedes, the ambiance remained celebratory as everybody got here collectively to cheer for India’s heroes. Pandya joined the open bus journey for a few hours earlier than making his method to the Wankhede Stadium.
Virat Kohli, throughout his speech, highlighted Suryakumar Yadav’s essential catch within the remaining over, which was off Pandya’s bowling. The point out of this second triggered thunderous cheers from the Wankhede crowd, who united of their appreciation for Pandya’s efficiency, chanting ‘Hardik… Hardik’ in unison.
“The most important turnaround occurred by way of (when) he was included. We may bat deep and we had an additional bowling choice. In final ODI World Cup remaining we missed him,” a fan stated, speaking to PTI.
“The most important testomony is Hardik’s psychological power, he was booed within the (first sport) right here in opposition to CSK. However nonetheless he didn’t hit again, saved his head down and saved working.
“All of the hate he obtained was unwarranted. The house owners took him in, he had nothing to do with it. There was no level booing him…Clearly, we didn’t qualify (for the IPL 2024 playoffs) however we’re simply right here to have fun him and smile all day,” he added.
“The issue with us MI followers is that we now have very quick reminiscences. Now we’re going to cheer ‘Mumbaicha Raja Hardik Hardik’. We’ll settle for him as MI captain now,” he stated.
“IPL is totally different from worldwide cricket, it’s purely leisure cricket. I’m completely happy for him, he scored runs and took wickets that too on the essential occasions. We wanted that (Heinrich) Klaasen wicket (within the remaining),” stated one other fan Srinivas Reddy, who completed work in his job at a financial institution in Hyderabad at 3:30 am and caught an early morning flight to Mumbai.
