During the Mumbai Indians' opening match of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, skipper Hardik Pandya was seen commanding former captain Rohit Sharma to field at the boundary. Rohit followed the instructions and did exactly what his captain commanded and guarded the boundary during the match against the Gujarat Titans. The video of Hardik ordering Rohit to run towards the boundary angered fans and the former was brutally slammed for his actions.
During the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27 (Wednesday), the tables were turned it was Rohit Sharma who asked Hardik to field on the boundary, mainly because the Mumbai Indians skipper is a better fielder and is quicker than the Hitman.
Early problems for Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians are enduring yet another slow start to their IPL campaign. Over the years, Mumbai has been guilty of starting slowly and this year so far has been no different. The five-time champions have lost both their matches of the new season, one of which they should have won.
Against the Sunrisers on Wednesday, Mumbai was annihilated by the Orange Army. Hyderabad batters smashed Mumbai bowlers at will and registered the biggest-ever score in the history of the cash-rich tournament.
On the back of half-centuries from Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a score 277/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Every Mumbai bowler, barring Jasprit Bumrah to an extent, took a massive beating as it was absolute carnage.
In reply, Mumbai showed some fight but the target of 278 runs was always going to be a tall task. Rohit and Ishan began slam-bang cricket from the top and Tilak Varma followed it up with a quick-fire half-century. Despite their best attempt, Mumbai Indians could only score 246/5 in their 20 overs, thus losing the game by 31 runs.
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