Sanjay Manjrekar Defends Hardik Pandya Amid Controversy

Sanjay Manjrekar urged the Wankhede crowd to stop booing Hardik Pandya, defending the Mumbai Indians skipper. Pandya faced criticism after taking over from Rohit Sharma, but his performance in the T20 World Cup vindicated Manjrekar’s support. Manjrekar highlighted Pandya's ability to perform under pressure.

In a dramatic scene at Wankhede Stadium, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar urged the crowd to 'behave' after they booed Mumbai Indians' new skipper, Hardik Pandya. The seasoned commentator's defense of Pandya came amid widespread criticism following the departure of popular captain Rohit Sharma.

Pandya, experiencing jeers at every venue post his appointment, found an advocate in Manjrekar, who interjected during a home match toss. Despite social media trolls, Pandya's stellar role in securing India's second T20 World Cup title, with 144 runs and 11 wickets, has vindicated Manjrekar’s stance.

Highlighting Pandya's performance, Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo, 'What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya. He's a big-stage player.' He pointed to key wickets taken by Pandya, reinforcing the skipper's invaluable nature in high-pressure games. Manjrekar also recalled Pandya’s composed contributions during India's challenging encounters, emphasizing his trustworthiness in crucial moments.