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Hardik Pandya's captaincy debut for Mumbai Indians didn't pan out as planned as they suffered a dramatic six-run defeat against Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match in Ahmedabad on March 24. Besides GT versus MI's thrilling clash, the Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi stadium witness another clash between the fans in the stands, where they were seen exchanging blows during the match. Two separate incidents have come to light following the IPL 2024's fifth match which saw MI taking on GT in a cracker of a contest, with many suggesting it was a scuffle between Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma's supporters.
Fans fight during GT vs MI clash
An eight-second video circulating on social media shows a physical altercation between two groups of supporters at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The location within the stadium suggests the fight might have involved fans of former MI captain Rohit Sharma and current captain Hardik Pandya. However, the video's brevity makes it difficult to confirm this speculation.
Possible Tension Within MI Camp
There have been hints of potential tension within the Mumbai Indians camp. During the match, some observers noted Rohit Sharma's reactions to Hardik Pandya's captaincy decisions, particularly when the latter directed the former MI skipper to near the rope to field. Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah's body language throughout the game has been interpreted by some as suggesting discomfort with the new leadership. While these are just observations, they raise questions about the team's internal dynamics under Hardik Pandya's captaincy.
Watch the video here…
Rohit and Bumrah were observed engaging in an animated discussion in the dugout later on. There are speculations among fans that the Mumbai Indians team is currently split into two camps, one supporting Pandya and the other Rohit.
Right after the conclusion of the match, Hardik attempted a friendly hug from behind Rohit, but the former MI captain appeared noticeably irritated and initiated a tense discussion with his team leader. Throughout this exchange, Hardik remained patient, even as Rohit maintained a stern demeanor.
It's uncertain if this incident escalated to a verbal altercation. Rohit's frustration might stem from the team's loss despite being in a favorable position, potentially sharing critical feedback with Hardik for future matches. Known for his transparency, Rohit openly expressed his thoughts and feelings. Hardik, on his part, had mentioned in a pre-season press conference his intention to seek guidance from Rohit throughout the tournament.
Talking about the match, MI's IPL 2024 season began on a disappointing note, falling short by just six runs in their chase against the GT on March 24 in Ahmedabad. Led by Shubman Gill, GT set a modest target of 169 runs. Despite a good start, Mumbai's batting fell apart in the final stages. They required only 39 runs with six wickets remaining in the last four overs. However, a disastrous batting collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for a paltry 32 runs, squandering the opportunity for victory. This horror show extended Mumbai's unwanted streak of losing their opening IPL match for an incredible 12 time year in a row, even under the leadership of new captain Hardik Pandya.
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