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Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Hardik Pandya Amidst Hostile Fan Reception

Kalyani Jha
30 Mar, 2024

India’s legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come to the defense of Hardik Pandya, who is facing a hostile reception from cricket fans during IPL 2024 matches. The Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper has been booed and criticized for his on-field decisions, particularly after replacing Rohit Sharma as captain.

Ashwin highlighted the intensity of the fans’ anger, stating that it makes it seem like no junior player has ever replaced a senior player as captain in the history of cricket. He drew examples from Indian cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, who have all played under different captains during their careers.

The spinner emphasized that the responsibility lies with the fans and questioned the need for teams to issue clarifications regarding player selections and roles. He pointed out that such fan wars are uncommon in other cricketing nations, highlighting the need for a more respectful and supportive environment.

Ashwin delved into the cultural aspects of cricket fandom, referring to it as a “cinema culture” where marketing, positioning, and branding play significant roles. However, he cautioned against the fan wars taking an ugly route, stressing the importance of remembering that players represent the country and should not be subjected to undue hostility or booing.

In his defense of Hardik Pandya, Ashwin’s words resonate with the broader theme of maintaining sportsmanship, respect, and dignity in cricket, urging fans to appreciate the players’ efforts and representational roles on the field.