Fans have expressed their displeasure over the move by booing Hardik Pandya at games.© BCCI
Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has raised concerns over a possible rift between Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and veteran batter Rohit Sharma. Hardik and Rohit have been in the news ever since the all-rounder replaced the long-serving batter as captain of the franchise ahead of the IPL 2024. MI traded Hardik in from Gujarat Titans before naming him the captain. However, the move to replace Rohit with Hardik hasn’t gone down well with the MI fans.
Fans have expressed their displeasure over the move by booing Hardik during the games thus far into the campaign. MI have lost all three of their games so far.
Having faced a similar treatment while leading Australia, Clarke said it’s never feels nice to get booed by the own fans. He feels that Rohit should speak up in support of Hardik.
“I feel it’s probably at a stage that if it keeps going, then Rohit Sharma has to come out and say something publicly and really support Hardik. You don’t like seeing that. I know it happens in sports but home fans booing is not ok. It’s not like Hardik made the decision to be captain. Mumbai Indians have made that decision; they brought him back and gave him the captaincy,” Clarke told ESPN.
Speaking on a possibility of a bad blood between the two, Clarke hoped that the MI dressing room is in good spirits.
“I just hope him [Rohit] and Hardik are fine. Again, they have always gotten on pretty well. Rohit is a super guy and a great player so that’s the other thing. You probably need Rohit Sharma making runs as well for Mumbai to have the success that they’ve always had. But yeah, let’s get some wins if you’re Mumbai Indians. Hardik has got to keep playing well and hopefully the fans get behind the team and Hardik as captain,” he added.
Clarke also recalled being booed by the Australia fans after he replaced Ricky Ponting as captain in 2011.
“I copped it at the Gabba once captaining Australia. I got absolutely smacked when I walked out to bat. Fans booing me and then I think I made a 100 and they stood and applauded as I walked off,” Clarke recalled.
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