India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah opened up about how Hardik Pandya dealt after getting booed during the IPL 2024. Hardik faced a challenging time as he stepped into the captaincy role for the Mumbai Indians (MI), replacing Rohit Sharma, he encountered immense criticism and even booing from fans across stadiums. The decision didn’t sit well with supporters, and Hardik had to bear the brunt of their disapproval.
Jasprit Bumrah supports Hardik Pandya in tough times
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler and Hardik’s teammate shed light on this adversity. Despite the negativity, Hardik displayed remarkable mental resilience. Bumrah acknowledged that emotions run high in India, where cricket is more than just a sport—it’s an emotion-driven phenomenon. Fans’ opinions matter deeply, and players can’t easily block out the noise.
“We understand (that) we live in a country where emotion is really the talking point. It’s an emotion-driven country. We understand that fans do get emotional, and players are also emotional,” Bumrah said.
He further emphasized facing difficulty in blocking out the negative comments and the boos, despite the necessity to do so.
“It does affect that you’re an India player, and you’re playing in India, and your own fans are speaking that about you. But it is the way it is. You’ve got to take it on your chin. How can you go out there and stop people? If you start focussing on yourself, you try to shut that door,” Bumrah said.
The fast bowler highlighted the importance of having the support of teammates and families during times like these.
“Now, the world can think what they want to. We as a team were talking to him, if he needed support, his family would always be there. Certain things are beyond your control. If it happens, it happens.”
Jasprit Bumrah Breaks Silence On Hardik Pandya-Rohit Sharma Captaincy Row
He said, "We as a team we cannot leave a man behind. We are there for each other. We are trying to help each other. I have played a lot of cricket with Hardik but it might be a youngster. It is us against… pic.twitter.com/kXMvMhj15u
— Cricket Chamber (@cricketchamber) July 25, 2024
Hardik’s journey took a positive turn after the IPL. Within a month, he transformed boos into cheers by playing a pivotal role in India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. His resilience and ability to rise above the negativity exemplify the spirit of a true sportsman.
“You understand it now because we play a sport that is so popular, every sportsman will go through these things. In football, you see fans booing the best players in the world. This is a part of the sportsman’s journey, things will happen that are not great. Sometimes, it might not be fair also, but it is the way it is.
“We have had a great life, we’re doing good things in our sport and for ourselves. All these challenges will come, but it will be better if you take it in the right manner,” Bumrah said.
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