NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya's journey in IPL 2024 continued to be a rollercoaster ride as he showcased his batting prowess amidst a challenging reception from the Wankhede crowd during Mumbai Indians' clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.
Despite delivering an impactful batting performance, Pandya encountered a barrage of boos from the crowd, a recurring theme throughout this IPL season.
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The negative atmosphere reached its peak when Pandya, who hadn't bowled in the last two matches, came on to bowl in the 10th over of the match. His introduction prompted a chorus of boos from the spectators, overshadowing the game momentarily.
Pandya started well with the ball, two dots followed by a single and a two, that’s four runs off the first four deliveries. But the jeering did not stop and RCB batter Rajat Patidar smoked the pacer over long-on for a six in the next ball.
The maximum prompted more heckling from the fans and Pandya bowled two consecutive wide balls after that, before conceding a total of 13 runs in the over. MI skipper did not come back to bowl after that.
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However, amidst the negativity, a moment of sportsmanship emerged when RCB legend Virat Kohli urged the crowd to cease heckling Pandya and instead support their captain. This gesture briefly shifted the atmosphere in the stadium.
Pandya's fortunes took a dramatic turn during Mumbai Indians' chase, as he delivered a scintillating display with the bat - 21 not out off 6 balls with the help of three sixes. He kick-started his innings with a six off Will Jacks, followed by another off Vijaykumar Vyshak, and eventually sealed the match with a graceful scoop over covers off Akash Deep.
His contributions, coupled with stellar performances from Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma, propelled Mumbai Indians to a stunning seven-wicket victory over RCB.
This win, their second after a series of three losses, revived their hopes for a playoff berth, lifting them to the seventh position on the points table.
1/9:Mumbai Indians thump Royal Challengers Bengaluru
<p>Mumbai Indians thump Royal Challengers Bengaluru</p>AFP
2/9:A starry reunion
<p>The electrifying contest witnessed passionate cheers for stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with intermittent boos for MI skipper Hardik Pandya.</p>AFP
3/9:Bumrah's Magical Spell
<p>Jasprit Bumrah's magical five-wicket haul dismantled RCB's batting lineup, stifling their run-scoring and paving the way for Mumbai Indians' dominant performance with the ball.</p>AFP
4/9:Karthik's Late Blitz
<p>Dinesh Karthik's late blitz, accompanied by crucial contributions from Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar, propelled RCB to a challenging total of 196/8.</p>AFP
5/9:Rohit and Kishan's Partnership
<p>Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan's explosive partnership of 101 runs off 53 balls for the first wicket laid a solid foundation for Mumbai Indians' emphatic victory, leaving RCB struggling to contain the onslaught.</p>AFP
6/9:Sensational SKY
<p>Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating 52 off 19 deliveries, adorned with four sixes and five fours, showcased his exquisite strokeplay as Mumbai Indians cruised past RCB's imposing target in just 15.3 overs.</p>AFP
7/9:Kishan's Explosive Innings
<p>Ishan Kishan's explosive knock of 69 runs off just 34 balls, embellished with seven boundaries and five towering sixes, set the tone for Mumbai Indians' chase, leaving RCB's bowlers reeling.</p>AFP
8/9:Mumbai Indians' Dominant Victory
<p>Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan led the charge with electrifying batting performances, propelling Mumbai Indians to a commanding seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.</p>AFP
