Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer turned commentator, made a spicy statement on February 22 (Thursday), regarding Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The 30-year-old, currently recovering from an injury, is set to make his comeback to competitive cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2024 as Mumbai Indians take On Gujarat Giants on March 24 in Ahmedabad.

After being traded to Mumbai Indians in December 2023 prior to the IPL mini-auction, Hardik Pandya is slated to lead the five-time champions, as he is the preferred choice for captaincy over former MI captain, Rohit Sharma. However, as the former Gujarat Titans skipper steps onto the field in Ahmedabad on March 24, Aakash Chopra wants for him to face some criticism from the crowd.

“I want Hardik Pandya to get booed in Ahmedabad. I’ll tell you why. First IPL season, Mumbai vs Kolkata. We were playing at the Wankhede Stadium. Ajit Agarkar was in our team and we had to take him off the boundary because he was Mumbai’s boy, playing against Mumbai, in Mumbai and getting booed by the Wankhede crowd. So we put him back inside the circle because it was not nice,” Chopra said on Jio Cinema as the IPL 2024 schedule was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

‘I Am Hoping That Hardik Goes For The Toss And People Go ‘Boo’’ Says Chopra

Aakash Chopra expressed his anticipation for some reaction from the crowd in Ahmedabad as Hardik Pandya, who had won a championship and led the team to the final, now joins Mumbai Indians after leaving the franchise. Chopra hopes for a response, suggesting that if there’s no emotion from the public, there is no fun, and he specifically mentioned hoping for a scenario where Pandya gets booed during the toss.

“Now Hardik Pandya goes to Mumbai after winning the championship once, leading the team to the final the next time. And not just that but choosing to leave the franchise. If there isn’t any heartburn in the public of Ahmedabad, if they don’t feel hurt, where is the fun? I am expecting. No, I am hoping – don’t tell anyone – that Hardik goes for the toss and people go ‘Boo’. That’s where the league matures,” the former India opener added.