"Mumbai Indians' fans are tribal.."- Adam Gilchrist reacts to booing on Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya had a forgettable return to the Wankhede Stadium earlier this week. After playing for Gujarat Titans in the last two seasons of the IPL, the India allrounder played his first game at the Wankhede Stadium as Mumbai Indians captain when his team locked horns against Rajasthan Royals.

However, the game turned out to be a nightmare for him. Not only did Mumbai Indians lose the game but Hardik Pandya also received a hostile reception from the fans who expressed their anger over Rohit Sharma being replaced as the captain of the team.

Hardik Pandya was constantly booed by the fans even before the match started. The situation reached a level where commentator Sanjay Manjrekar had to urge the crowd to behave. The fans did not squander a single chance to take shots at the under-pressure Mumbai Indians captain. The fans also taunted him with the chants of 'Rohit, Rohit'.

Adam Gilchrist on Hardik Pandya gettint ill-treated by fans:

With the situation getting out of hands, former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has shared his views on the same. The legendary wicketkeeper said that the fans' reaction shows Rohit Sharma's huge fan following. He also admitted over being surprised with the way Hardik Pandya left Gujarat Titans for Mumbai Indians before being made the captain.

"It shows you the status that Rohit Sharma has in the game there. The mysterious manner with which it all played out initially, the pace with which it happened, everyone was stunned with Mumbai getting Hardik Pandya away from Gujarat and then Rohit relinquishing captaincy. It's an odd one. But this is the nature of the beast in the IPL. The tribalism and intensity within fan bases. It's hard to replicate anywhere else with that level of intensity," Gilchrist said on the Club Prarie Fire podcast.

For the time being, it looks like Hardik Pandya has no option but to win over the fans with his performance. Things have not gone well on the field as well. Under his captaincy, Mumbai Indians have started their season with three losses in a row. In the last game against Rajasthan, they suffered a six-wicekt defeat after managing to post only 125. They will be eyeing their first win when they take on Delhi Capitals in their next game.