‘Tried to protect Hardik Pandya’

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar recently recalled the incident from IPL 2024 when he told the crowd to behave and show some respect to the Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya.

Recently during India’s opening Super 8 match against Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2024, Hardik Pandya played a vital knock of 32 off 24 balls, which included 3 fours and 2 massive sixes. Pandya came in to bat when India was in trouble at 90-4.

He took his time and formed a crucial partnership of 60 runs off 37 balls with Suryakumar Yadav to take India to a comfortable position. He also had a decent day with the ball as he bowled two economical overs.

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Sanjay Manjrekar recalls the incident when he tried to teach the crowd to ‘behave’

After the match, Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Hardik Pandya for his brilliant innings under pressure. Manjrekar also mentioned that Hardik has been a big stage player and loves playing for India.

“It’s always been there. He had a rough time in the IPL. The external factors had a lot to do with it. It’s a game of confidence and maybe somewhere, he wasn’t in the right state of mind. Playing for India is completely different, the ambience completely changes. He has always been the big stage player. I’ve had a lot of respect for him. He is showing that with ball and bat,” Manjrekar stated.

During the discussion, Manjrekar also remembered the time when he told the crowd to ‘behave’. During a toss in an IPL 2024 game, the crowd was booing Hardik Pandya. After watching this, Manjrekar couldn’t stop himself and told the crowd to behave and show respect for the Mumbai Indians captain.

“In fact, I tried my best to protect the champion player, trying to mute the world with the kind of noise they were making against him. So I believe he is a champion player and he shows his true worth when it matters,” Manjrekar said.

Hardik Pandya faced a lot of wrath from the crowd in IPL 2024 for replacing Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain. The allrounder had an ordinary season and his team Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the points table.

Hardik Pandya shows his all-round potential in T20 World Cup 2024

However, Pandya has shown good form in the T20 World Cup 2024. He has picked up 7 wickets in four matches at an average of 11.14 so far and played vital roles in all of India’s victories in the group stage. In the Super 8 match against Afghanistan, he didn’t get the chance to bowl his full quota but impressed with the bat.

India went on to post 181-8 in 20 overs, which proved to be too much for Afghanistan, who were bundled out for 134 in 20 overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh starred for India with the ball by picking up three wickets each. With the bat, Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 53 off just 28 balls and was adjudged Player of the Match.