RR vs MI: Watch: 'Clueless' Hardik Pandya's embarrassment forces Rohit Sharma to assume captaincy mantle vs PBKS

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was absolutely clueless while trying to figure out what should be done in the final 5 overs of their match against Punjab Kings last night in Mullanpur. The Kings were trying to chase down 193 runs for the win and the match was in a tricky situation as less than 60 runs were required in the final 30 balls. In that moment when Pandya should have stepped up and given ideas to the team, he was seen absolutely quiet, letting former skipper Rohit Sharma do the talking. 

It was almost as if Hardik Pandya handed over the captaincy back to Rohit Sharma, who is not leading the 5-time champions for the first time since the 2013 season. Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Ishan Kishan, all of them were seen listening carefully to the instructions that Rohit was giving while Pandya, who was standing in the huddle as well, was just looking at everyone's faces and didn't have anything to say. 

That particular moment was captured by a fan and the video clip, which was uploaded on X (formerly Twitter), is now doing rounds across all social media platforms. Everyone in that huddle was giving their inputs, be it Madhwal or Bumrah, to Rohit Sharma, whereas Hardik Pandya with his headband on, was watching on in a way that it seemed like some of his best friends betrayed him. This was just another alarming sign for not only Pandya's captaincy hopes but also to the BCCI, who are counting on him as India's next leader. 

How did the fans react to the viral video of Hardik Pandya?

Just like the way Ahmedabad's crowd treated Hardik Pandya in Mumbai's season opener against Gujarat Titans, fans, below that post treated the all-rounder in the same way - showing No Love at all. Regardless of how much you can scroll, one will only find derogatory comments about Hardik. Really, it's a sad scenario to be in.

If there had to be a quote dedicated to Pandya's current situation, then it would be from an Eminem song - "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it". Hardik Pandya had wished for Mumbai Indians' captaincy and so he got it but little did he know that there would be such consequences.

That his former supporters will turn against him, his new home fans will turn against him and every crowd will jeer him - had Pandya known this beforehand, he would have loved to be with the Gujarat Titans. 

And if we talk about the fan reactions then one fan wrote, "It's time for Sharma to step up and take charge. The team cannot afford to have players clueless on the field. Action must be taken now."

While other fans rallied with negative comments, there was one fan who had some supportive words for the all-rounder, "He is not clueless. It seems as if all of you do not listen to your seniors, let alone respect them. Rohit is the most experienced in the team and nobody can understand the situation better than him. If Hardik taking Rohit's advice, then what's wrong in it?"

Watch the viral video  

Hardik Pandya was totally clueless in the last 5 overs. So he requested to Rohit Sharma to do captaincy.

Look at Hardik Pandya's face. 😂 pic.twitter.com/yjIUSuD3zp

— हंसराज गहलोत (@hans_gehlot) April 19, 2024