Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday night proved to be a challenging one. Despite being back in his home city, Pandya encountered a less-than-welcoming reception from the crowd, likely influenced by Mumbai Indians’ third consecutive defeat in IPL 2024. The disappointment was palpable as Pandya, feeling the weight of the team’s poor performance, found himself sitting alone in the MI dugout after the match against Rajasthan Royals.
Throughout the game, boos echoed in the stadium, overshadowing Pandya’s efforts on the field. Mumbai Indians’ dismal batting display only added to the frustration, with the team losing three wickets in the opening 14 balls. While Pandya contributed with a brisk half-century partnership with Tilak Varma, Mumbai struggled to post a competitive total, ending with just 125 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
Despite a promising performance from young bowler Akash Madhwal, who took wickets at regular intervals, Mumbai’s target of 126 proved insufficient as Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag’s unbeaten 54, chased it down comfortably with six wickets in hand.
Reflecting on the defeat, Pandya shouldered the blame for his dismissal, acknowledging that it allowed Rajasthan to gain momentum in the match. Expressing his disappointment, he emphasized the need for him to contribute more effectively to the team’s success in future matches.
