Hardik Pandya's return to the Mumbai Indians, following a successful tenure as captain of the Gujarat Titans, emerged as one of the more captivating narratives of IPL 2024. As he took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, Pandya became the focal point of media scrutiny and fan discontent, given the implications of his decision.

He faced boos at both the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for his choice to depart from GT and, unexpectedly, at the Wankhede Stadium, where his ascension to captaincy was met with resistance. Nevertheless, prior to Pandya's inaugural appearance in the IPL 2025 season, MI coach Mahela Jayawardene urged fans to move past the contentious events of the previous season.

"I believe it is merely a game of cricket. Fans will always have their emotions, which are integral to the sport. While it seems that everyone has moved on, it is intriguing to witness the depth of loyalty, even within the IPL," remarked the Sri Lankan legend during his press conference ahead of the GT vs MI match.

‘I hope that people will see beyond…’

Jayawardene emphasized that Pandya has been instrumental in India's recent achievements, including victories in the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. Notably, he played a pivotal role by delivering the decisive final over against South Africa in Barbados last year.

"One year later, he has accomplished even more, and I hope people will recognize his growth beyond last year's events. I look forward to enjoying a competitive game of cricket," Jayawardene remarked, attempting to shield his captain from the frequent criticism he faces.

Pandya was absent from MI's opening match of the season, which resulted in a defeat to CSK in Chennai, due to an over-rate suspension carried over from the previous year. The Mumbai batting lineup struggled during that match, but the return of their captain may alleviate some concerns. Meanwhile, GT narrowly missed victory in a high-scoring chase against Punjab Kings in their first game and will aim to secure their first points at home on Saturday.

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