IPL 2024 - Why is 'RIP Hardik Pandya' trending on X? Angry Rohit Sharma fans have their reasons

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is not even a week away, and fans are gearing up for the upcoming clashes set to begin on March 22. With players having joined their respective camps and training underway, press conferences have also commenced. On March 18 (Monday), Mumbai Indians (MI) held their pre-season press conference with new captain Hardik Pandya and head coach Mark Boucher attending and answering questions.

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Amidst all this, questions about Pandya replacing the former skipper Rohit Sharma were inevitable. While the conference was telecasted live, fans could witness the questions being asked and the responses given. However, it seemed that the management was hesitant about certain questions, especially those related to the 'Hitman'.

Many viewers who watched the livestream have taken screenshots and are sharing clips on X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their anger. Many even stated that the video MI posted showing Rohit Sharma's entry into the team hotel made more noise than Pandya's press talk. 

However, what began as a backlash saw Rohit Sharma fans take a step too far as they started trending the tag, "RIP Hardik Pandya".

The Indian all-rounder was even asked at the press conference if he had seen the backlash, to which he responded that he was aware of it and said the anger was valid, due to their love for the franchise. However, he said the camp is underway and he is looking forward to meeting everyone soon.

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Addressing questions about his return to the MI franchise, Pandya stated, "First of all, it is very good to be back. I’m back where everything started. It is a very surreal feeling because everything that I have known from 2015 to now has been because of this team. My life completely changed when I made my debut in 2015. I'm very grateful to have reached here and played again at a ground that is my favourite from day one." 

Mumbai Indians squad:

Hardik Pandya (C), Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Luke Wood, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma.