Hardik Pandya got a rousing reception in Mumbai Indians' first game of IPL 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Indians kicked off their season against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31, 2025, after captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and chose to bowl. This moment marked a significant turnaround for Pandya, who was met with massive cheers from the MI faithful, a stark contrast to the boos he faced during the previous season.
Last season, the atmosphere at Wankhede was toxic for Pandya as he faced backlash from fans unhappy about him replacing Rohit Sharma as captain. The Mumbai Indians had a dismal campaign in IPL 2024, finishing at the bottom of the table with just four wins. Pandya’s performance also suffered, as he managed only 216 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 143.05 and took 11 wickets with an economy rate of 10.75.
However, the narrative changed dramatically when Pandya played a pivotal role in leading the Indian national team to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He scored 144 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 151.57 and claimed 11 wickets throughout the tournament. His standout performance in the final against South Africa, where India clinched the title despite the Proteas needing just 30 runs off the last five overs, helped restore his reputation.
The shift in sentiment was palpable, as fans cheered for Pandya during the victory parade in Mumbai following the World Cup win, and this support carried over into the IPL 2025 season. As he stepped up for the toss at Wankhede, the crowd erupted in cheers, signaling a fresh start for both Pandya and the franchise.
On social media, fans expressed their joy at seeing Pandya receive the appreciation he deserves. One user on X (formerly Twitter) shared, "LOUD CHEER FOR HARDIK PANDYA BY WANKHEDE CROWD. GOOD TO SEE." Another added, "A comeback story for the ages in cricket." The enthusiasm from the crowd was a welcome sight for Pandya, who had faced a challenging season just a year prior.
The Mumbai Indians entered this match looking to bounce back after two consecutive losses to start their IPL 2025 campaign. The team had lost to the Chennai Super Kings in Chennai and suffered another defeat against the Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Returning to Wankhede provided MI with an opportunity to reset and regain momentum, with the home crowd poised to deliver the much-needed support.
As the match against KKR unfolded, the Mumbai Indians aimed to capitalize on a batting-friendly pitch while hoping their new-ball bowlers could exploit early swing and seam movement. The starting XI for MI included Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, and Vignesh Puthur. The KKR lineup featured Quinton de Kock (w), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Despite the renewed optimism surrounding the Mumbai Indians, the team had struggled in their opening matches. Former head coach Mark Boucher noted that the senior players had resolved their differences since the end of the previous season, suggesting that conversations between Hardik and Rohit had helped clear the air. Boucher stated, "Since the IPL ended, India has had time to settle things. Hardik has probably had conversations with guys like Rohit. I'm sure they've sorted things out, which makes me very happy. It needed to happen. It's never pleasant to see a cricketer go through something like that."
As the first home game of the season progressed, the Mumbai Indians sought to shake off the disappointment of their earlier performances. The cheers for Pandya were not just a personal triumph but also a reflection of the fans' hopes for a successful season ahead. The atmosphere at Wankhede was electric as the crowd rallied behind their team, eager to witness a turnaround in fortunes.
With the IPL 2025 season still in its early stages, the Mumbai Indians faced an uphill battle to reclaim their status as one of the league's dominant teams. However, the support for Hardik Pandya and the collective spirit of the MI fans could prove to be the catalyst needed to ignite a resurgence. As the game against KKR unfolded, all eyes were on Pandya and his ability to lead the team back to winning ways.
In conclusion, Hardik Pandya's reception from the Mumbai Indians fans at the Wankhede Stadium on March 31, 2025, signified a new beginning for both the player and the franchise. With the past season's disappointments behind them, MI looked to harness the energy of their home crowd and turn their fortunes around in the ongoing IPL 2025 campaign.
