Mumbai Indians keeper batter Ishan Kishan believes a part of his franchise skipper Hardik Pandya would be relishing the challenge of getting jeered at the early stages of IPL 2024, including at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium.
“He loves challenges. He has been in this situation before. He is in that situation right now. He is not someone who will come out and talk about this and that. I know he is someone who works really hard off the field. On the field, he is on a very different level,” Kishan said in the post-match press conference following MI’s seven wicket win against RCB on Thursday.
“I know he must be enjoying it. I have spent a lot of time with him. He must be enjoying it. He is ready for the challenges, because you can’t complaint to the fans. They will come up with their expectations, they will come up with their point of view. But at the same time, me knowing how Hardik Pandya thinks, he is someone who loves challenges,” Kishan added.
A @Jaspritbumrah93 special with the ball backed 🆙 by a power packed batting performance help @mipaltan win ✌ in ✌ 💙
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 11, 2024
Having taken over as the MI captain ahead of this season, replacing Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya has been subjected to loud jeers at multiple venues. During their most recent game against RCB, Virat Kohli appeared to ask those in the stands at the Wankhede Stadium to stop booing Pandya.
“He is happy with people doing it. In the coming games, he will do (well) with the bat and people will start loving him again. Because you’re doing well and people will also recognise your hard work. What you’re going through and still what you’re doing for the team. I think people do recognise that and our fans are like that. They can be a little harsh on you but at the same time, when you show that it isn’t bothering you, and you’re in a good head space and willing to perform well, that might change. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then day after,” said Kishan.
On Thursday, Pandya would lead MI to their second successive win of the season after having started with three defeats in a row. Coming in to bat at number four, Pandya scored a quickfire six-ball-21 and closed the game with a six. The performance induced chants of the MI skipper reverberating around the venue.
“I just feel happy for him that he is keen on performing even in this situation. He is going out there in the middle and hitting a six of the very first ball, knowing that things can do in a different way. People can question you as well. But that is something that Hardik Pandya has in himself and do it,” Kishan added.
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