Virat Kohli Urges MI Fans To Applaud Hardik Pandya, Reminds Them He Represents India

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Virat Kohli, the iconic figure of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), stood up for Mumbai Indians’ embattled skipper Hardik Pandya, urging MI fans to cease their criticism of the captain during the IPL 2024 match at the revered Wankhede Stadium.

The 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League has seen the Spirit of Cricket reignite, with Kohli taking a stand in support of Pandya amidst the backlash from Mumbai Indians fans. Pandya, who recently took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, has faced a barrage of criticism from MI supporters. This includes hostile receptions in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad since his move from Gujarat Titans in a high-profile cash deal ahead of the season.

During the match between RCB and MI, Kohli, from the middle of the field, gestured to the crowd to applaud their captain, ensuring that Pandya did not have to endure a hostile reception. His act of sportsmanship quickly garnered praise from fans and cricket enthusiasts alike.

Notably, Kohli reminded the Mumbai faithful that Hardik Pandya represents Team India in the international arena, emphasizing the respect Pandya deserves as a national player.

When Pandya stepped up to finish the run chase for the Mumbai Paltan, he was met with a supportive reception rather than hostility, thanks to Kohli’s intervention. Pandya’s unbeaten 21 off just 6 balls, with a striking rate of 350.00, contributed to Mumbai’s comfortable victory over Bengaluru. Stellar performances from Ishan Kishan (69) and Suryakumar Yadav (52) set the stage for MI’s triumph, with the team successfully chasing down the 197-run target in 15.3 overs.

Pandya, also contributing with the ball, bowled a single over and conceded 13 runs during RCB’s innings.

Reflecting on the match, Mumbai’s Jasprit Bumrah was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional five-wicket haul against RCB. “The way Ro (Rohit Sharma) and Kishan batted, giving the platform, it was important for us to finish it early. We didn’t speak about it. That’s the beauty of this team, players know what to do. Blessed to have Bumrah on my side. He does it over and over again. He practices a lot. The amount of experience and confidence he has is tremendous,” commented Pandya after the match.

The IPL 2024 encounter not only showcased exceptional cricketing performances but also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and camaraderie among players and fans alike.