'Hardik Pandya's Unapologetic Expression Gains Support: IND All-Rounder Sets Unique Example'

Hardik Pandya's confident and outgoing personality has often led to misconceptions and scrutiny. Earlier this year, the talented all-rounder faced backlash for his decision to switch teams in the IPL, moving from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians. Many fans criticized him for taking on the captaincy role of a team with a successful history in the league, which led to booing from spectators nationwide. However, Pandya proved his critics wrong with stellar performances in the T20 World Cup 2024. He shone in the final match, taking three crucial wickets, including that of David Miller in the final over, which helped secure victory for his team. This display of skill and composure silenced his detractors and showcased his true potential as a game-changer on the field.

Gujarat Titans pacer Mohit Sharma, who made his IPL comeback under Hardik's captaincy in IPL 2022, has come in support of his former skipper and said it's tough for people to accept someone who is over-expressive in nature.

"The concept of being misunderstood is different for every individual. If I like to remain humble, it doesn't mean that everyone would like to remain humble. There are some people who are over-expressive. In our community, we find it difficult to accept when someone comes out like that," Mohit said on the 2 Sloggers YouTube Channel.

The 36-year-old also explained why everyone wants to be like Hardik but can't, which led to their criticising the star all-rounder.

"I will give you a perfect example - if you stay in a high-rise building and see someone enjoy the rain, even we feel like doing it, but our hesitation stops us. So, everyone wants to be like Hardik, but they can't be like him, which results in these things," he added.

Mohit further asserted that Hardik is very easygoing as a skipper and tries to make the camp atmosphere healthy.

"As a person, Hardik is a very nice human being. He is a darling type of guy and very easygoing. He makes the atmosphere very healthy. It doesn't matter what the world thinks. As a leader, there is always some scope for improvement. Hardik's biggest quality is that he gets his players pumped up because he himself likes to be pumped up," he added.

Meanwhile, Hardik recently lost the chance to become India's T20I captain after Rohit Sharma resigned from the format as the selectors went ahead with Suryakumar Yadav as his successor. Hardik, who is Surya's captain in Mumbai Indians, lost the job due to the his recent fitness concerns which forced him to miss a lot of cricket in the last few years.