During an IPL match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Hardik Pandya faced a barrage of boos and jeers from the crowd, despite his previous success there as captain of the Gujarat Titans in 2022. Having made a surprising move to the Mumbai Indians and subsequently being appointed as their captain for the IPL 2024 season, Pandya’s return was met with hostility from the Ahmedabad spectators.
Amid this unfavorable reaction, cricket legend Brian Lara couldn’t resist a playful jab at Pandya while on air, much to the amusement of his fellow commentators. The lighthearted moment occurred during the 12th over of Gujarat’s innings, with the jeers persisting from the toss onwards. Kevin Pietersen expressed his surprise at the crowd’s reaction, noting that it’s uncommon for an Indian player to face such hostility, especially considering Pandya’s contributions to the national team before his IPL stints.
Ian Bishop, also in the commentary box, pondered on what Pandya could do to win back the crowd’s favor. Lara responded with humor, suggesting that Pandya could try “playing for India the next time they’re here,” eliciting laughter from Bishop and Pietersen.
Despite the crowd’s disapproval, Pandya maintained his positive outlook, acknowledging the vibrant atmosphere at the stadium and expressing gratitude for the support. However, Mumbai Indians couldn’t secure a victory, falling short by six runs in their chase of 169, despite being well-placed at one stage. The valiant effort from Gujarat bowlers in the death overs sealed the win for the hosts, dampening Pandya’s homecoming.
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