Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has faced relentless booing from fans at the Wankhede Stadium, raising concerns about its impact on his performance. The hostile reception began during Mumbai’s first match and has continued throughout the tournament.
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen expressed his worry, stating that the negative atmosphere is affecting Pandya’s game. “He’s trying to act like he is so happy. He is not happy. I have been there. I have been in the firing line. And I can tell you now, it affects you,” Pietersen said.
Pandya’s struggles were evident in Sunday’s match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He conceded 43 runs in his three overs and scored only 2 runs off 6 balls with the bat. CSK ultimately defeated Mumbai by 20 runs.
Pietersen believes that the booing is hurting Pandya’s emotions and affecting his cricket. “He has emotions. And he is an Indian player and he doesn’t want to be treated like this. So when this is happening, it’s affecting him, it’s affecting his cricket and something needs to happen,” he said.
Pandya’s poor form has been a major concern for Mumbai Indians, who have lost four of their first six matches. The team’s batting has been inconsistent, and Pandya’s failure to contribute with both bat and ball has exacerbated their problems.
The booing of Pandya has also raised questions about the behavior of fans. While it is understandable for fans to express their disappointment, the relentless and personal nature of the booing has been criticized by some.
It remains to be seen how Pandya and Mumbai Indians will respond to the ongoing criticism. The team will need to find a way to improve their performances and silence the booing if they want to turn their season around.
