Mumbai: Spotlight was on Hardik Pandya even before the first ball was bowled on Monday during Mumbai Indians first game at the Wankhede stadium in 2024 against Rajasthan Royals. Despite his decent show with the bat, Hardik faced the heat on social space. Hardik was spotted smiling inside the dressing-room after Mumbai’s batting collapse and this did not go down well with fans who reacted strongly on social space. MI was 122 for nine in 19.4 overs when the cameras panned and captured Pandya in the act.
Here is the picture that is storming internet:
Caption this #hardikpandya #MIvRR #RohitSharma #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/VehA7QAgFx
— Tanay (@tanay_chawda1) April 1, 2024
Mumbai Indians score 125/9 in 20 overs, captain Hardik Pandya is smiling. pic.twitter.com/QzgYY4wsip
— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) April 1, 2024
Rohit Sharma is tensed and Hardik Pandya is smiling in the dugout.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) April 1, 2024
Never seen Hardik Pandya smiling so much.. just being fake..#MIvRR
— Madras Man (@newbatsman) April 1, 2024
Teams:
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Tim David, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Kwena Maphaka
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Nandre Burger, Yuzvendra Chahal
At the time of filing the copy, MI have already posted 125 for nine in their stipulated 20 overs. In chase of 125, the Royals are 12 for one in two overs. They have lost Yashasvi Jaiswal already for 12 off 10 balls. Ideally, Samson and Buttler would look to steady the ship and settle in the chase.
