Former cricketers Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bishop, and Brian Lara were heard discussing what Hardik Pandya could do to win over the Ahmedabad crowd. This was after the new MI captain was booed heavily in his team’s IPL 2024 opening match against GT on Sunday, March 24.
After playing 7 seasons for MI, Hardik moved to the Titans in 2022 and led them to glory in the very first season. In 2023, the Titans finished as the runners-up with Hardik as their captain. Hardik moved to MI from GT ahead of IPL 2024 in an all-cash deal and this has not gone well with GT fans.
During commentary, Kevin Pietersen said that it’s a rare instance that an Indian cricketer is getting booed in his/her own country.
“Every time Hardik goes anywhere near the ball, the boos ring out. I don't hear that too often in India,” Pietersen said during commentary.
His fellow commentator Ian Bishop then asked what Hardik can do to impress the fans in Ahmedabad.
“Can he win them over? What can he do to win them over or win them back?” Bishop responded.
However, the best response came from West Indian legend Brian Lara. He said: “Play for India... next time they are playing here.”
Here is the video:
