IPL 2024: Fans Need to Rally Behind Hardik Pandya, Urges Pietersen Ahead of World Cup
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen lashed out at fans booing Hardik Pandya during Indian Premier League 2024. Ever since he was appointed MI captain, fans have been divided on the issue and have not hidden their feelings against the former GT skipper. Speaking on tv a day after MI's loss to CSK at the Wankhede Stadium, Pietersen extended his support to Pandya. Pandya was booed at MI's home at the Wankhede Stadium and a section of fans were left feeling worse after the all-rounder hit three back-to-back sixes by MS Dhoni in the final over of the match. Pandya's poor form on the field mixed with the fans' reception in IPL 2024 has Pietersen concerned and the former cricketer on Monday, April 15, mounted a passionate defense for the Indian all-rounder.
“It is clearly affecting Hardik. I've seen how crazy it is on social media. And 10 years ago when I left the England team and the nonsense that was going on there, the nonsense at home, being a villain in the streets, going to restaurants and people looking at you funny was right in the mix. Affects you away from the game of cricket,” Pietersen said on Star Sports after MI vs CSK.
'Perception is hard to change'
Pietersen compared his life to Pandya's and said that this constant hatred could leave a big mark on Pandya's life beyond his cricket career. “It doesn't just affect you, it affects your family. And my fear of what's happening with Hardik at the moment is that this is going to hurt him for a very long time. When he finishes his Indian career, when he finishes playing cricket, it will still hurt him and that's why something drastic has to be done," Pietersen said.
"But it still absolutely, massively hurts me. I mean, you look at the reception I get in England on occasion, just look at my social media feed. I mean, once you have that impression To fall and have a perception about a person, I mean, it's hard to change the perception. I mean I've been coming to India for the last 25 years, I've never heard that kind of voice towards a player," he added.
The former England cricketer said something drastic needs to be done to stop the boom, otherwise it could affect India's chances in the T20 World Cup 2024, where Hardik may arrive with very little confidence. "Something drastic has to be done because this guy is an Indian cricketer and in a month you want to win the World Cup for India. Will the same people who are booing him, boo him when he plays Pakistan in New York? Ninth or 10th?" June I don't think it's necessary to stop and do something drastic because I don't like what I've been through," Kevin Pietersen concluded. MI is currently 8th in the points table with 2 wins and 4 losses.