Ever since the commencement of IPL 2024, one player who has found himself at the center of fans' criticism is Hardik Pandya. His elevation to the captaincy role of Mumbai Indians, replacing Rohit Sharma, was met with disapproval from a significant portion of fans. Whenever Pandya has appeared for the toss or made an appearance on the field, he has often been subjected to boos and jeers from the spectators, including at MI's home ground, the Wankhede Stadium. Despite maintaining a public silence on the matter, it's evident that Pandya is feeling the pressure.
The inconsistent performance of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 has only compounded Pandya's challenges. With the team struggling to find its rhythm, the scrutiny on Pandya's leadership and individual performance has intensified.
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, who has been part of Mumbai Indians in the past, recently addressed Hardik Pandya's situation in detail on The Ranveer Show.
"He is a guy who has got the calibre and potential to be an all-time great for Indian team. He was let go by the team which discovered him, he went to another franchise. After winning 3-4 titles with them, he left. He must have felt a little bad; that will be there. He went to GT, won a title and finished runners-up in another. Then the conversation began," Uthappa said.
"The mocking, trolling, the memes about his fitness. You don't think it hurts him? It hurts him. It hurts any human being. How many people actually know the reality of it? Hardik is dealing with mental health issues, for sure. We, as people, I understand, as Indians, we are emotional. But it is not right to impose this kind of treatment on any human being. It is unbecoming as a society for us to do that to someone and be okay with it. We should not be laughing along with it. We should not be forwarding these memes."
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Uthappa added that the all-rounder is right in securing his career.
"It's our job, yes it's passion too, but it's what puts the food on the table for me. My job is on display for you to criticise. A corporate person's job is not on television to criticise, or have an opinion about either. When that is the case, you have to exercise a certain amount of empathy and dignity to the other person to allow them to fail. One of the most beautiful things we did as a country is our expression to love, and our reaction to our Indian team after we lost the World Cup. That's how we should be as a society, and as Indians," said Uthappa.