Hardik Pandya‘s start as Mumbai Indians’ captain faced backlash from fans who favored Rohit Sharma, the former captain with five IPL titles. Rohit’s removal from the role was seen as disrespectful by many.
Hardik Pandya’s situation worsened with Mumbai Indians yet to secure a win in their two matches. Amid social media backlash, his batting struggles compounded the issue. In the last game against SRH, MI conceded a record IPL total of 277/3, with Pandya managing only 24 off 20 deliveries, recording the lowest strike rate in the order.
Amid ongoing trolling directed at Hardik Pandya and a noticeable silence from Mumbai Indians regarding his situation, Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian off-spinner and player for the Rajasthan Royals, expressed solidarity with his fellow cricketer.
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During a live stream on his YouTube channel with cricket analyst Prasanna Agoram, Ravichandran Ashwin addressed the issue, highlighting the toxicity of ongoing fan conflicts. He questioned whether Mumbai Indians management should intervene and issue a statement, especially considering perceived missteps in player transfers.
Ashwin emphasized that neither the franchise nor the player should be involved in the ongoing conflict. He asserted that the responsibility lies solely with the fans to maintain a positive and respectful atmosphere.
Ashwin illustrated his point by referencing the seamless transitions of legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, who played under multiple captains. Tendulkar served under Sourav Ganguly, then Rahul Dravid, and finally, MS Dhoni, highlighting how players adapt to different leadership styles without causing discord.
