Hardik Pandya Sends ‘Stay Strong’ Message Amid Criticism for Personal Attacks

Hardik’s disappointing season with the bat, ball and as a captain continued, as MI slipped to their seventh loss in 10 games this season. They were defeated by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with a four-wicket loss at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Despite Pandya taking two wickets, he was dismissed for a golden duck.

In the current season, Pandya has scored just 197 runs at an average of 21.88 and a strike rate of 150.38, with his best score being 46 runs. He has also only taken six wickets at an average of 42.16 and an economy rate of 11.00. The major reason for the social media trolling and hate towards Pandya is his controversial move back to MI after a two-year-stint with the Gujarat Titans (GT), with whom he won the title in their debut season as captain in 2022.

Taking over as captain from five-time IPL champion Rohit Sharma, he has become a victim of a fan-war, with Rohit fans accusing him of betraying the franchise and the captain. Wasim Jaffer expressed his disappointment in the constant personal trolling and attacks on Pandya on social media, emphasizing the need for strength and support. He highlighted Hardik’s past valuable performances in crucial matches and tournaments which have been overshadowed by the current criticism.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, with Rohit Sharma leading the team and Hardik Pandya appointed as his deputy. The tournament will be hosted in the West Indies and USA, and India has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA.