• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Cant Really Help Mi Insider Breaks Silence On Pandya Rohit Sharma Controversy

'Can't Really Help...' - MI Insider Breaks Silence On Pandya-Rohit Sharma Controversy

Rohit Sharma is playing under Pandya in IPL 2024 (ipt20.com)Rohit Sharma is playing under Pandya in IPL 2024 (ipt20.com)

Piyush Chawla, leg spinner for Mumbai Indians, told the Indian Express that Hardik Pandya doesn't let crowd booing bother him and stays focused on playing well. In both of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) games so far, fans have consistently booed Mumbai's captain, Hardik Pandya, at every venue they've visited. 

When asked about Pandya's response to this, Chawla stressed the importance of maintaining focus by disregarding the crowd and eliminating potential distractions.

The upcoming match at Wankhede will mark Mumbai Indians' first home game of the season. This return to their home turf is particularly significant as it will be Hardik Pandya's first game back at Wankhede since his departure for GT and subsequent return to MI. 

Despite this, Chawla expresses hope that fans will support both the team and Hardik Pandya as they play on home ground.

"We will have to ignore it sometime (on crowd). Whatever, they are doing things which does not look good but you can’t help it. We have to focus on the game and can’t think about outside noise. I'm really hoping when we come tomorrow (against Rajasthan) the crowd will support us especially the way our past two games have went," Chawla said to the Express. 


"I feel Mumbai Indians true fan will support us. You can’t really help. You can’t control the crowd. The way Hardik has taken it he is doing his bit and not thinking about the crowd," the MI spinner added.

The hatred towards Hardik has escalated to the point where even his wife, Natasa Stankovic has faced online bullying from certain fans. Following the defeat against SRH, Hardik returned to Mumbai and went home to take a break. 

Chawla, alongwith Pandya and Rohit Sharma, will be up against Rajasthan Royals, as MI plays their first home game on Monday evening.