I asked the crowd to behave because Hardik Pandya is a big-stage player: Sanjay Manjrekar

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was subjected to massive criticism and was welcomed with boos in almost every home game in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League. In the game against Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium, the crowd was once again booing the all-rounder when cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar schooled the spectators and asked them to ‘behave’.

The incident took place during the toss, and it jeered the home fans further. The social media was buzzing with trolls, but neither Manjrekar nor the MI skipper issued any statement. After the 30-year-old heroics in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, the cricketer-turned-commentator finally opened up and revealed that he asked the crowd to behave as he always believed in Pandya’s abilities, labelling him a big-stage player.

“What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya. In IPL, there were people jeering him and booing him and I told them to behave because this is a big-stage player. We have seen that umpteen times, wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and right at the end, (and) Rabada (as well). So he was a champion and no surprise, to see him flourish on the big stage,” Manjrekar told 'ESPNCricinfo'.

“Even in that semifinal against England, he came in and gave India some hope with 60 off 33. So that's what he is all about. You felt safe when he came to bowl in the last over, he was not going to lose his nerves, he was going to bowl sensibly,” he added.

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After the Men in Blue triumphed over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, Pandya opened up on the difficult time and stated that days were tough, but he understands there will be ups and downs in sport. He added that those six months were hard, and he wasn’t able to figure out things.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya: A Mentality Over Totality

“Those six months, I wanted those six months of mine. I couldn't even figure out what happened to me. I controlled a lot. I wanted to cry, but I didn't. People who were happy with my misery, I didn't want to give them the satisfaction. And I will never. Now look at the fate. I got a chance to do this in the final over. I couldn't ever have imagined this. I am speechless,” Hardik had told Star Sports after the match.