Fans on Twitter were quick to react as Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya made a surprising decision not to give the new ball to Jasprit Bumrah in their match against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing IPL 2024. The clash, being the 5th game of the season, unfolded at the Narendra Modi International Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Despite expectations that Bumrah would start with the new ball, Pandya opted to take it himself, a move that raised eyebrows among fans. However, the decision backfired as GT’s openers, Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha, launched an aggressive onslaught on Pandya’s bowling during the powerplay.
WATCH – Hardik Pandya Faces Hostile Reception In Ahmedabad Amidst Crowd’s Boos
In contrast, Luke Wood, who received the new ball alongside Pandya, bowled a more economical over, conceding only 6 runs. It wasn’t until the 4th over that Pandya handed the ball to Bumrah, who immediately made an impact with a stunning yorker that shattered Saha’s stumps.
Despite this success, Bumrah was surprisingly removed from the attack after just one over, leaving fans puzzled by Pandya’s tactics. The skipper himself faced criticism from the crowd, evident from the boos he received during the toss and his expensive bowling figures of 20 runs conceded in two overs.
WATCH – Jasprit Bumrah’s Magical Delivery Castles Wriddhiman Saha In IPL 2024 Clash
Reacting to Pandya’s decision on Twitter, fans expressed their disappointment and frustration, questioning the skipper’s strategy in the crucial encounter at the Narendra Modi International Stadium. The unexpected move sparked a flurry of reactions, with many users sharing their thoughts and opinions on the platform.
Where is Bumrah?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 24, 2024
Bro thinks it’s gully cricket 🤷🏻♂️ 😂
He proved tht he is a 🤡#HardikPandya #MIvsGT #GTvsMI
| #ViratKohli • #RCB • #IPL2024 | pic.twitter.com/B7wodaSrqn— Saurabh ( RCB Edits ) (@Saurabh_LLJW) March 24, 2024
Hardik Pandya is the captain, he will finish his QUOTA for sure…
— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) March 24, 2024
11 Overs Done
Jasprit Bumrah Bowled 1 over
Luke Wood Bowled 1 over
Gerald Coetzee Yer to bowlWhat’s in Hardik Pandya’s Mind 😑#MIvsGT
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) March 24, 2024
He doesn’t give Bumrah even the second over. 😭😭😭 it’s okay to be unique pro max.
— Manya (@CSKian716) March 24, 2024
Kevin Pietersen said, “Why Jasprit Bumrah is not opening the bowling? I don’t understand this”. pic.twitter.com/DAj9wQ1kfo
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2024
Because Hardik Pandya is the captain, and he thinks he is the most important player of the team. He feels he is the beat bowler and best batsman of the team. Don’t surprise if you see Hardik get angry/scold Rohit/Bumrah/Surya in coming matches
— BB Thoughts (@Indian_Bharat24) March 24, 2024
Debutant Luke wood ignored Rohit 😭 pic.twitter.com/FF1qNDe88X
— T⊶8 (@vintagevk18) March 24, 2024
How do you even think of bowling the first over when you have Bumrah in team lol. Hardik is crazy.
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) March 24, 2024
Bumrah not bowling first over.
He dropped Akash Madhwal from the team.
Hardik Pandya is trying to do everything by himself. #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/lkMSvFHajf
— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) March 24, 2024
Poor captaincy by Hardik Pandya
— Ashim (@RoFiedAsim) March 24, 2024
Mumbai Indians is looking Clueless Under Hardik Pandya Captaincy.🥺#MIvsGT #Hardikpnadya #RohitSharma
— Kieron Pollard (@ZoyaAnsari4545) March 24, 2024
This is fucking the worst captaincy I have seen in recent times, he is just fucking Mumbai Indians team.
#HardikPandya #MIvsGT #GTvMI #GTvsMI #TATAIPL2024 #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/Dfsy2ejIvM— CricPov (@cricketnerd36) March 24, 2024
Hardik pandya playing with Mumbai bowling be like #MIvsGT #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/u2kwHU7MZe
— Pushpa The Rule 🐉 (@Allu_BhaiFan) March 24, 2024
