GT vs MI: Hardik Pandya heckled with 'Chhapri' chants while leaving the field, video goes viral

Hardik Pandya faced a lot of criticism and hatred from fans after leaving Gujarat Titans (GT) and being appointed as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain. The intensity of the backlash worsened when MI faced GT in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 24, Sunday. Notably, Hardik's first game as MI's captain didn't go well as his side suffered a defeat by six runs. 

The reception from the Ahmedabad stadium, Hardik's former home ground, was notably inhospitable. Despite leading the Titans to back-to-back IPL finals, the 30-year-old couldn't dodge displeasure from the fans for leaving the team. There were a lot of videos circulating on social media in which he could be seen booed by fans throughout the match, with some resorting to derogatory remarks. In a video, the fans were making disrespectful remarks like ‘chapri, chapri' when he was leaving the ground.'

Also read: IPL 2024: Crowd chants 'Hardik, Hardik' as dog enters ground; video goes viral

Watch the video:

Shubman Gill registers first win as GT captain 

Speaking of the game, MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and invited GT to bat first. Jasprit Bumrag showcased his bowling prowess, finishing with figures of 3/14 while Gerald Coetzee claimed two wickets as Mumbai managed to restrict GT by 168 runs. Sai Sudharshan emerged as GT's standout performer, scoring 45 off 39 deliveries.

Azmatullah Omarzai provided GT with an early breakthrough, dismissing Ishan Kishan for a four-ball duck in the fourth delivery of the first over and Naman Dhir in the third over. However, Rohit Sharma (43) and Impact Player Dewald Brevis (46) propelled MI back into contention. 

Also read: IPL 2024: Brian Lara's dig at Hardik Pandya leaves Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bishop in splits

Meanwhile, in the final over, MI needed 19 to win with a loss of seven wickets, and Hardik, facing the pressure, smashed a six and a four off the first two deliveries. However, Umesh Yadav thrashed MI's hope, claiming Pandya's wicket on the third ball and following Piyush Chawla's dismissal on the next delivery thereby defending their total. This turn of events ultimately led to Shubman Gill marking his first win as GT captain.