Watch: Dog halts play between GT and MI, fans label Hardik Pandya as the dog

Hardik Pandya‘s first game in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) has not really gone well for him. All eyes were on him when he took the field for the first time as Mumbai Indians captain on Sunday (March 24).

Incidentally, the game was against Gujarat Titans, the team that he surprisingly left to join Mumbai Indians. The game happening at the Narendra Modi Stadium only made things worse for him. The India allrounder received a hostile reception as the crowd booed him constantly during the toss.

Later in the game, the fans targeted Hardik Pandya once again in a derogatory fashion. The incident took place during the 15th over of Gujarat Titans’ innings when a dog entered the field and started running all around. As the dog was running all across the field, the fans were heard chanting the name of Hardik Pandya. He was trolled on social media as well as fans took a swipe at him by stating that even the dog ignored the allrounder.

Watch:

Even dog ignored this Hardik 😭😭😭 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->O<!---->C<!---->Z<!---->g<!---->a<!---->R<!---->9<!---->U<!---->a<!---->3

— nipun mahajan (@NiPuN_045) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Here are some reactions to the incident:

Even Dog trolling Hardik Pandya at Narendra Modi Stadium.

Rohit Rohit chants all over the stadium.#<!---->G<!---->T<!---->v<!---->s<!---->M<!---->I #<!---->M<!---->I<!---->v<!---->s<!---->G<!---->T

p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->f<!---->3<!---->1<!---->U<!---->m<!---->e<!---->t<!---->1<!---->8<!---->8

— 🕊️ (@retiredMIfans) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

The crowd was chanting hardik when the dog was running in the ground. #<!---->M<!---->I<!---->v<!---->s<!---->G<!---->T p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->g<!---->j<!---->I<!---->j<!---->0<!---->c<!---->T<!---->W<!---->U<!---->F

— Mʀ.Exᴘɪʀʏ (@Bloody_Expiry) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->2<!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Hardik Pandya on his return to Ahmedabad:

Speaking at the toss, Hardik Pandya expressed his delight over returning to Ahmedabad for the game. The Mumbai Indians skipper pointed out that Gujarat is his birthplace before thanking the fans for their support.

“Feels good to be back. My birthplace is Gujarat, a lot of success came in Gujarat, very grateful to the crowd and this state. My cricketing birth happened in Mumbai, so really good to be be back,” said Hardik Pandya.

“It’s been almost two weeks, we started the camp. Boys are very eager to go out there and perform. We had wonderful practice matches and practice nets. All are looking good. The excitement is a different feeling. We have four quicks, three spinners and seven batters. Making sure all the departments are looked after,” he added.

Talking about the game, Gujarat Titans were on 135 for 5 after 17 overs at the time of writing this report.