Rohit Sharma got startled when the fans’ adulation from the stand spilled over to the field of play as a supporter evaded security and ran towards the former Mumbai Indians skipper and gave him a hug.
Rohit was dictating something to his fellow teammate when he turned back and saw the fan steaming in towards him and took 2-3 steps back. He, however, gained his composure and allowed to the fan to hug him. The person the hugged Ishan Kishan and was escorted out by the security personnel.
In the match, a clinical Rajasthan Royals romped home for a third win on the trot in the IPL with a six-wicket hammering of Mumbai Indians, whose skipper Hardik Pandya continued to be on the receiving end of fans’ anger.
Itna toh Trent Boult se bhi nahi dara tha 🤣pic.twitter.com/UHAGGTXdZK
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 1, 2024
After Yuzvendra Chahal (3/11) and Trent Boult (3/22) combined to suffocate Mumbai Indians with the bat, restricting them to 125/9, Riyan Parag (54 not out) churned out yet another top-drawer knock to take Rajasthan Royals to the first spot in the IPL points table.
Meanwhile, there was no letup for Pandya who was booed on several occasions in Mumbai Indians’ first home game. It started with Pandya being booed when he took field for warm-up drills and the fans hit the player hard again when he came out for the toss.
Even though commentator and former India and Mumbai player Sanjay Manjrekar appealed to the crowd to “behave”, the boos continued until Pandya hit a few fours to bring smile back on Mumbai fans after their side was left reeling at 20/4 inside the powerplay.
Pandya top-scored with 34 for Mumbai in his bid to turn the brickbats into cheers but Rajasthan came out on top on every moment in the game, which was underlined by special bowling efforts from Chahal, Boult as well as Nandre Burger (2/32), who were all backed by excellent fielding.
If Chahal suffocated the MI batters in the middle overs while stopping both Pandya and Varma in their tracks, it was Trent Boult who ran riot in the home side’s top order, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir and Dewald Brevis for first-ball ducks.
(With agency inputs)
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