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The Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, was spotted playing cricket with fans in Mumbai alongside the sports presenter, Jatin Sapru, with their video going viral on social media. As the cameras rolled in the near vicinity of Pandya and Sapru, one could wonder whether this was one of the latest ad shoots before the IPL 2024 comes around next month.
Just a day prior, Hardik Pandya’s clip was leaked from the IPL film shoot for Star Sports, wherein he was seemingly throwing tantrums at the crew over a cheat meal. The 30-year-old refused to eat the food served to him, stating that it could adversely impact his fitness.
Notably, Hardik Pandya, who returned to Mumbai Indians on a trade deal from Gujarat Titans before the IPL 2024 season, replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of the franchise shortly afterward. It has led to Pandya being a constant target of a section of fans from Mumbai Indians, who are not shy away from raising their displeasure at his appointment in the leadership role.
Hardik Pandya hasn’t played competitive cricket in more than four months after suffering an ankle injury in the early stages of the ODI World Cup 2023. Although he is expected to play for Mumbai Indians on his return to cricket next month after completing his rehabilitation and bowling full tilt in the nets a week ago.
Moreover, the first match of the IPL 2024 season for Mumbai Indians, under the captaincy of Hardik Panday, will coincidentally happen against his old franchise Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 24.
Here is Hardik Pandya playing cricket with fans in Mumbai;