"Mumbai's fans are like that.."- Ishan Kishan reacts to Hardik Pandya's insults by MI fans
Published - 12 Apr 2024, 10:24 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
Outcast Indian wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan feels that it's only a matter of time until people start loving and appreciating Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. Kishan made these comments after MI defeated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru last night in front of home fans at the Wankhede stadium.
After losing their first three matches on the trot, Mumbai have won back-to-back two games in a row, first against Delhi Capitals and yesterday against RCB.
It was a clinical performance put up by the Mumbai Indians, especially with the bat. Hardik Pandya had put RCB to bat first after winning the toss and his bowlers did a very decent job early on in the game as Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Madhwal scalped two early wickets.
While Bumrah got rid of opening batter Virat Kohli for just 3 runs, Madhwal claimed the wicket of number 3 batter Will Jacks for 8 runs.
MI Vs RCB: As it went
However, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis and out-of-form number 4 batter Rajat Patidar got going and put together a partnership of 82 runs. In the 11th over, Patidar was sent packing for 50 off 26 by Gerald Coetzee before Shreyas Gopal, with his leg-spin, caught Glenn Maxwell's leg-before wicket for another duck.
Then as Dinesh Karthik was smacking well, du Plessis went back to the pavilion for 61 off 40 in the 17th over while Mahipal Lomror and Vyshak Vijay Kumar got out for golden ducks.
But Dinesh Karthik's death over batting which saw him score 53 off 23, helped the South-Indian outfit post 197 as the target. In response, MI openers Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma got off to a flyer as usual with the former scoring 69 off 34 and the latter amassing 38 off 24.
Kishan was the first to depart but by then MI were 101 within the 9th over. Then Suryakumar Yadav began desolating RCB bowlers with his 360-degree prowess before Rohit Sharma received his marching orders in the 12th over.
Then came skipper Hardik Pandya, who made a partnership of 37 runs with Surya before the latter's departure. Tilak Varma, with his 16 off 10, stood on with Pandya and remained in the crease till the winning runs were scored. The 5-time champions eventually claimed victory by 7 wickets to go 7th in the points table.
Ishan Kishan says MI fans will recognize Hardik Pandya's hard work very soon
After the match, Ishan Kishan claimed that MI fans, who initially hated Hardik Pandya, would start loving him and start recognizing him again for his hard work. Kishan then stated that fans of MI had overflowing emotions and that they had their expectations.
The wicket-keeper batsman thinks that it's normal for the fans to behave like that, highlighted its harshness as well but was hopeful that Pandya will turn it around.
"He is happy with people doing it, in the coming games, he will do it with the bat and people will start loving him again. Because you're doing well and people will also recognize your hard work. What you're going through and still what you're doing for the team. I think people do recognise that and our fans are like that."
"They can be a little harsh on you but at the same time, when you show that it isn't bothering you, and you're in a good head space and willing to perform well, that might change. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then the day after." - Ishan Kishan said after the match.
