Despite delivering an impactful batting performance, Pandya encountered a barrage of boos from the crowd, a recurring theme throughout this IPL season.
The negative atmosphere reached its peak when Pandya, who hadn’t bowled in the last two matches, came on to bowl in the 10th over of the match. His introduction prompted a chorus of boos from the spectators, overshadowing the game momentarily.Pandya started well with the ball, two dots followed by a single and a two, that’s four runs off the first four deliveries. But the jeering did not stop and RCB batter Rajat Patidar smoked the pacer over long-on for a six in the next ball.
The maximum prompted more heckling from the fans and Pandya bowled two consecutive wide balls after that, before conceding a total of 13 runs in the over. MI skipper did not come back to bowl after that.
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However, amidst the negativity, a moment of sportsmanship emerged when RCB legend Virat Kohli urged the crowd to cease heckling Pandya and instead support their captain. This gesture briefly shifted the atmosphere in the stadium.
Pandya’s fortunes took a dramatic turn during Mumbai Indians’ chase, as he delivered a scintillating display with the bat – 21 not out off 6 balls with the help of three sixes. He kick-started his innings with a six off Will Jacks, followed by another off Vijaykumar Vyshak, and eventually sealed the match with a graceful scoop over covers off Akash Deep.
His contributions, coupled with stellar performances from Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma, propelled Mumbai Indians to a stunning seven-wicket victory over RCB.
This win, their second after a series of three losses, revived their hopes for a playoff berth, lifting them to the seventh position on the points table.