In IPL 2024, after the first victory of MI Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya's wholesome moment goes viral
On Sunday in IPL season 2024, the Mumbai Indians finally got off the mark at the Wankhede Stadium after they defeated the Delhi Capitals in an amazing match. There was a lot of criticism of the MI team and of the captaincy of Hardik Pandya after the team faced a hat-trick of defeats at the start of the Cash Rich League, but the brilliant cameo of Romario Shepherd's helped the home team get their first victory on board. But more than the victory, it was the priceless moment shared between newly appointed captain Hardik Pandya and former MI captain Rohit Sharma is sure to bury all doubts surrounding the situation of the Mumbai Indians.
While putting to bat first at home, Mumbai got off to a good start with openers Ishan Kishan and Rohit stitching an 80-run partnership before Axar Patel and Anrich Nortje struck at regular intervals, picking two wickets each, to keep Delhi in the match. But a slog-over masterclass from Tim David and Shepherd, who smashed five sixes and eight boundaries between themselves to stitch a partnership of 55- runs in only 13 balls, saw MI finish with 234 runs at the loss of five wickets.
In response, Prithvi Shaw played an essential role at the top of the order with his 40-ball 66 before No. 4 Tristan Stubbs smashed 71 off 25, which included seven sixes, to keep Delhi in the run chase. But a collapse of the middle order inflicted by Gerald Coetzee saw Delhi capitals restricted to 205 for eight in 20 overs.
Hardik was very happy after the victory by 29 runs because this was his first win as the captain of the Mumbai Indians. Later on, he also shared a warm hug with the former captain of the team, Rohit, who patted his back, congratulating him on the victory as the priceless moment went viral on social media platforms.
Watch the video here.
The priceless moment between Hardik and Rohit will surely bury all doubts and questions surrounding the Mumbai Indians'. Moreover, after MI's first match against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Rohit seemingly refused to hug Hardik after the match before they broke into an animated discussion on the field. There were other scenes, such as Hardik being left alone in the MI dugout as the rest of the players, including Rohit, abandoned him, and the all-rounder walking away from a conversation with the former captain and JaspritBumrah.
The victory also helped Mumbai become the first IPL side to secure 50 wins at a single venue and the first T20 side to have 150 victories to their name.