No shoulder to cry on

"I feel for Hardik (Pandya). I can't imagine what he must be going through right now. On one hand, it is fans who are scrutinising every move of his, and on the other, the team has not been up to the mark so far. The poor chap has nowhere to go, he and only he, is answerable for anything that goes wrong. Hope he can turn it around for MI (Mumbai Indians) soon," Sujeet Kashyap, a devout follower of the franchise since 2013, the same year when Rohit Sharma was appointed the captain, tells Mid-Day.

Since Pandya replaced Rohit as MI captain after returning to his original franchise following two seasons at the helm of Gujarat Titans which is now being led by the young Shubman Gill, the lanky all-rounder has faced jeers and boos from a section of MI fans. Adding to his woes, Mumbai Indians got off to the worst possible start in the ongoing edition, losing the opener to Titans and also going down in their second and third to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals respectively.

"You were an important player till you were leading GT...you came back to Mumbai and took away the captaincy from Rohit (sic)...respect Rohit as Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) respect Dhoni (MS)," read a post on X. "It's not about winning or losing, it's about attitude, arrogance which is ruining this beautiful team. What did you say last year about MI? It was all about Money to build MI, you want to follow CSK's ways. Then why did you return? Got Boos in Ahmedabad who adored you, Got Boos in Mumbai who used to adore you. Says a lot about the whole messy situation (sic)," a user wrote. "...You need to sort internal issues. You don't speak with Malinga in the dugout. You don't speak with Rohit Sharma on the field. How will the team succeed with this broken team spirit and internal tussles? (sic)," commented another.

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In the aftermath of disheartening defeats, emotions often run high, passions flare, and the scrutiny intensifies as the spotlight shifts to the leadership at the helm. It is amid this cauldron of disappointment and frustration that the simmering discontent of fans often boils over, manifesting in demands for his removal and a seismic upheaval in the team's hierarchy.

The anguish of fans reverberates across the cricketing landscape like a thunderclap, each disappointment a dagger to the heart of their unwavering loyalty. For them, victory is not just a fleeting moment of jubilation but a visceral connection to the team they hold dear, a validation of their unyielding support and a source of communal pride. Thus, each time defeat has struck within the MI territory, it has struck not just at the team's overall performance but at the very core of the fans' identity, igniting a firestorm of emotions that demand retribution, accountability, and change.

At the epicentre of this maelstrom of discontent stands Pandya, the figurehead of the team, entrusted with the sacred responsibility of maintaining the team's rich legacy. For the MI loyalists, however, defeat is not just a bitter pill to swallow but a stain on their legacy, a blot on their reputation, and a challenge to their leadership.

The demand for Pandya's removal is a reflection of fans' insatiable thirst for success, their unwavering belief in the team's potential, and their visceral reaction to failure. It is born out of a desire for accountability and a belief that former skipper Sharma at the helm will herald a fresh start and a brighter future for the team.

Amid the cacophony of voices clamouring for change, there exists a glimmer of hope, a beacon of resilience, and a reminder that defeat is not the end but a new beginning. Pandya, though with little support from a section of MI fans, must navigate a treacherous path strewn with obstacles, doubts, and detractors, all while maintaining his composure, conviction, and confidence in the face of relentless scrutiny and scepticism.

For him, the road ahead may be fraught with uncertainty, challenges, and setbacks, but it is also lined with opportunity, growth, and redemption. In the crucible of defeat, Pandya has the chance to emerge stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever to lead Mumbai to glory, silence his critics, and write a new chapter in the annals of IPL history.