Hardik Pandya’s appointment as Mumbai Indians captain ahead of the IPL 2024 has brought a storm of negativity in the MI camp.

Ever since the announcement of MI removing Rohit Sharma from the leadership position and handing over the reins to Hardik was made public, there has been a backlash from MI fans.

Hardik Pandya was booed mercilessly when MI played its IPL 2023 opening match with Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. Pandya had led GT in two IPL seasons, winning in 2022 and qualifying in the final in 2023. However, both the GT and Mi fans slammed Pandya throughout the match.

After Mumbai incurred two consecutive losses in their first two matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, the situation seems to have worsened.

A viral video on social media has made the fans wonder if the relationship between Hardik and Malinga has turned sour. In the video, the MI captain Pandya could be seen pushing the MI bowling coach Lasith Malinga away.

Malinga came to hug Hardik after the conclusion of the match but the skipper didn't seem to be in the mood and pushed aside the Lankan after a brief handshake.

Here is the video:

In another video circulating on social media, Malinga and MI batting coach Kieron Pollard are sitting together discussing something. Hardik Pandya then approaches them and sees that there is no seat vacant. As Pollard starts to get up to give Pandya the chair, Malinga taps on his arm and makes way for Hardik to sit.  

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