Hardik Pandya Knew Mumbai Indians Fans Would Hate Him After Rohit Sharma Captaincy Snub
Hardik Pandya admits he knew Mumbai Indians fans would be hostile after replacing Rohit Sharma as captain in IPL 2024. Rajeev Shukla reveals BCCI supported him during the tough phase
Hardik Pandya’s captaincy journey with Mumbai Indians has been one of the most dramatic storylines in recent IPL history. While he has the full support of MI fans in the ongoing 2025 season, it wasn’t the same last year when he replaced Rohit Sharma as skipper.
After being traded from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024, Hardik was announced as captain, taking over from Rohit, fondly called ‘Mumbai Cha Raja’. The decision didn’t sit well with fans, and the all-rounder was booed across venues during the season.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has now revealed that the board had reached out to Hardik during those difficult weeks.
“In Hardik’s case, Rohit Sharma’s fan base did not like it. But the matter is done. Neither did Rohit Sharma provoke anybody, and Hardik always knew this could happen and was mature,” Shukla said in an interview with the UPT20 league’s official YouTube channel.
Hardik faced the first round of boos in Ahmedabad, but the most hostile reception came at the Wankhede Stadium against Rajasthan Royals. The crowd jeered so loudly during the toss that Sanjay Manjrekar had to intervene and request fans to behave.
Despite the hostility, Hardik did not let emotions get the better of him.
“He did not let it affect him. He did not get emotionally carried away. Then, when you start performing, fans start applauding by themselves again,” Shukla added.
T20 World Cup Turnaround
IPL 2024 was a forgettable season for Hardik and Mumbai Indians, with the team finishing bottom of the points table.
But he turned his fortunes around in the T20 World Cup later that year, bowling the decisive final over against South Africa in the final and dismissing David Miller to seal the title.
Hardik’s emotional celebration and his return to Mumbai with the trophy reignited his bond with the fans. By the time IPL 2025 arrived, the boos had turned into cheers, marking a full-circle moment in his journey with the franchise.
