‘I know he must be enjoying it’ - Ishan Kishan backs MI skipper Hardik Pandya to win over team's fans

Star Mumbai Indians batter Ishan Kishan has come forward to show his support for the franchise’s skipper, Hardik Pandya. Kishan backed the skipper to win over the MI fans once again after he was recently booed at the Wankhede Stadium when MI took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024.

Ahead of the IPL 2024, Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as MI’s skipper after the franchise brought him in from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal. The same decision did not sit well with the fans as Pandya has been greeted with boos wherever he has played. However, Ishan Kishan recently came forward to opine that Pandya is a player who loves challenges, and he will be keen on taking this situation on as a challenge as well. 

"Talking about Hardik Pandya. He loves challenges. He has been in this situation before. He is in that situation right now. He is not someone who will come out and talk about this and that. I know he is someone who works really hard off the field. On the field, he is on a very different level,” Kishan said in the post-match press conference. 

"I know he must be enjoying it. I have spent a lot of time with him. He must be enjoying it. He is ready for the challenges, because you can't complaint to the fans,” he added.

People will start loving him again: Kishan

Furthermore, Ishan Kishan talked about how Pandya will get his form back which will lead to the fans who are booing him will start loving him once again. Besides, he believes there are still some fans who recognize the hard yard put in by the newly appointed skipper which will rub on other fans. 

"He is happy with people doing it, in the coming games, he will do it with the bat and people will start loving him again. Because you're doing well and people will also recognise your hard work. What you're going through and still what you're doing for the team. I think people do recognise that and our fans are like that,” Kishan concluded.