NEW DELHI: With three defeats in three games, new Mumbai Indians skipper
Hardik Pandya
hasn't had the start he was hoping for in the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League. And to go with that, the flamboyant all-rounder has been up against crowd's hostility at various venues as fans have been booing him relentlessly during matches.
Former India skipper and Delhi Capitals' Director of Cricket
Sourav Ganguly
on Saturday came out in support of Hardik, stating the fans behavior has not been pleasing and urged them not to boo the 30-year-old.
Ganguly pointed out it is not Hardik's fault if he has replaced much-loved
Rohit Sharma
, who shepherded the team in previous seasons.
"I don't think they should boo Hardik Pandya. It's not correct," Ganguly told the media here during Delhi Capitals' training session at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
"It's not correct. The franchisee has appointed him as captain. That's what happens in sport. Whether you captain India or you captain a state or whether you captain your franchise, you are appointed as captain.
"He's (been) appointed captain. Obviously, with Rohit Sharma he's a different class. His performance for this franchise, his performance for India has been at a different level as captain and as a player," the Director of
Cricket for Delhi Capitals said.
"But then it's not Hardik's fault that he's been appointed as captain. All of us need to understand that," he added.
Hardik has been at the receiving end of the fans' anger ever since Mumbai Indians announced that he will captain the five-time champions.
The India all-rounder was booed in the first game that he played as MI skipper upon his return at the home ground of his previous franchise Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
The trend continued when Hardik went to Hyderabad to face the Sunrisers Hyderabad and much to the surprise of many, the 30-year-old was booed when Mumbai Indians played their first home match of the season against Rajasthan Royals.
Mumbai Indians take on Delhi Capitals on Sunday in Mumbai in afternoon game.
(With inputs from PTI)
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