MI did not start the IPL 2025 well, as they lost their first match vs CSK. Now they play their second match vs GT on Saturday, and the good news for them is, that their regular captain Hardik Pandya will be back, after serving a one-match ban. Team coach Mahela Jayawardene at a presser on Friday did open about the poor treatment meted out by the MI fans to the skipper Pandya in 2024, where the team finished at the bottom of the points table.
No More Hardik Pandya vs MI Supporters
“I think it’s just a game of cricket. Fans are fans and the emotions are part of it and I’m sure that everyone has gone beyond that,” Jayawardene said on the eve of MI’s match against Gujarat Titans. “It’s amazing to see how the loyalty and everything works even in IPL, which is fascinating, and I’ve enjoyed that from the outside,” Jayawardene said.
But then he also highlighted how the situation has changed completely from last year, where Hardik Pandya has played crucial role in winning two ICC trophies — the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. “Twelve months on, he has achieved a lot more and I’m sure everyone will see beyond what has happened last year. We can enjoy a good game of cricket and everyone can enjoy a good game of cricket.
MI Take on LSG on March 29
“I think we just take the present situation as simple as that,” he said. Meanwhile, additional focus will be on their new wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur, who just surprised one and all with his three wickets. Reportedly, he was spotted by the MI Scouting team, and then was sent to SA20 league, where he was the net bowler for MI Cape Town.
“I wasn’t there [at the SA20],” Jayawardene said. “Yes, I was part of the thought process, but I wasn’t there. It was just to get him out and expose him to cricket because we felt that there is talent and because he hasn’t played much cricket prior, give him that exposure working with some players. And that’s about it. VP is being chilled and he’s getting along with it.”
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