Mumbai Indians Fans Urged to Support Hardik Pandya Amidst Booing Controversy
As Mumbai Indians prepare for their third consecutive home match in IPL 2024, the spotlight has shifted to the behavior of spectators at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has sparked a debate by criticizing the treatment of MI skipper Hardik Pandya by the home crowd.
Vaughan expressed bewilderment at the booing of Pandya during an appearance on The Ranveer Show on YouTube. Despite a brief respite in a previous match against Delhi Capitals, where Pandya was spared due to the presence of children from NGOs, Vaughan highlighted the hostility he faced in other games, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium.
“I don’t understand booing. I kind of got it in the first game in Gujarat, because he played for them for two years and did not do well as a captain. But then when he went to Hyderabad, I was like, ‘What’s going on.’ Then when he came back to Wankhede, his own home support was booing him. I did not understand that,” Vaughan remarked.
Vaughan acknowledged the initial booing in Gujarat attributed to Pandya’s stint with the Gujarat Titans, but expressed shock at the treatment he received in subsequent matches, especially at his home ground.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, Vaughan emphasized the crucial role Pandya plays in India’s quest for success. “What Indian cricket fans need to understand is that Mumbai Indians are Indian fans and for India to win the T20 World Cup, they need Hardik Pandya. They need him to play well. So somehow, over the next few weeks, they need him to get that confidence level right up to the top level, because with India having Hardik flying, they have a great chance in lifting that trophy,” Vaughan asserted.
Vaughan’s statement serves as a call to action for Indian cricket fans, urging them to support and uplift Pandya’s spirit and confidence in the coming weeks of the competition. Recognizing Pandya’s potential impact, Vaughan emphasized the need for Indian fans to rally behind him, as his form could significantly bolster India’s chances of clinching the T20 World Cup trophy.
