"We as a team were with him, talking to him" - Jasprit Bumrah opens up on Hardik Pandya's negative reception during IPL 2024
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah opened up about trying to help star all-rounder Hardik Pandya overcome the negative receptions from the fans during the 2024 IPL season. Hardik took over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians (MI) from long-time skipper Rohit Sharma before IPL 2024 after returning from the Gujarat Titans (GT).
However, the move led to Hardik being booed by MI fans around the country during the IPL season. It did not help matters that the 30-year-old struggled to produce with bat and ball.
Speaking at the Indian Express Adda, Jasprit Bumrah highlighted how Hardik's teammates and inner circle tried to help him overcome all that he faced during the IPL 2024.
"Sometimes we understand, we live in a country where emotion is the talking point. We understand fans gets emotional. Players are emotional. It does affect that you are an Indian player, but your fans are not speaking well," Bumrah said.
"But you have to take it on your chin. It's not that simple. They are screaming. You can hear it. But then your inner circle helps. We as a team were with him, talking to him. His family will always be there. That narrative also changed when we won the World Cup," he added.
Led by Hardik Pandya, MI finished at the bottom of the points table with only four wins in 14 outings.
The 30-year-old averaged a dismal 18 with the bat and over 35 with the ball at an economy rate of almost 11.
"It's a part of a sportsman's journey" - Jasprit Bumrah
![[Credit: Getty] Jasprit Bumrah starred in India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/43ab0-17219243117244-1920.jpg?w=500)
Jasprit Bumrah highlighted how ups and downs, including positive and negative fan reactions, are part of a sportsman's journey.
The 30-year-old was the Player of the Tournament in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies and the USA. Bumrah finished with 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and a stunning economy of 4.17.
"You cannot take it seriously. Now that people are singing praises, it is not the be all or end all. When we lose a game, the narrative can change again. Because we play a sport so popular, every sportsman will go through all this. The best players in the world face all these things. It's a part of a sportsman's journey. We live a great life. We have good things in our sport," Bumrah said.
The champion bowler is rested for India's upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, starting July 27. The Men in Blue play three T20Is and as many ODIs, culminating on August 7.