Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya interacting with Rohit Sharma during IPL Cricket match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
There was a smattering of boos at the toss, it got louder when he came on to bowl and conceded a few boundaries in the Powerplay, and got even more definitive after a diving effort to prevent a boundary. Hardik Pandya’s ‘transfer’ was already seen as a game-changer in the league, and it has now brought in a football-like atmosphere to the IPL where former players getting booed has become a reality.
In the end though, as an Australian captain once famously mentioned, he had the chance to silence the Ahmedabad crowd (well, somewhat, given there were still plenty of MI fans). Hardik had the bat in hand and stood confidently at the crease as MI needed 19 off the last over. Umesh Yadav’s first ball was off-pace and short, and was smashed over cover- point in signature style for six. The second ball too was wide of off-stump and was put away for four. It was set up for a grandstand finish but Umesh went for a faster short ball that cramped Hardik for room and he was caught at long-on.
Till then, Hardik had managed to keep a check on his emotions through what was a difficult night. But as he walked off the pitch, he took off his helmet, frustration writ large, and let out some steam. One defeat doesn’t make a season, especially not in the opener for MI who are used to it. But it was an evening of wild emotions for the man in the spotlight. (READ MORE)
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