‘Rohit Sharma should come out and publicly support Hardik Pandya’: Australia booed fiercely in FIR captain controversy

Former Australia captain Michael Clark has expressed concerns over a possible rift between Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya and veteran Rohit Sharma. Hardik and Rohit have been in the news ever since they replaced the long-serving batsman as team captain ahead of IPL 2024. MI traded Hardik from Gujarat Titans and then made him captain. However, the move to replace Rohit with Hardik did not go down well with MI fans.

Fans have expressed their displeasure with the move by booing Hardik in matches so far this season. MI has lost all three matches so far.

Clark, who faced similar treatment while leading Australia, said it was never a good thing to be booed by his own fans. He thinks Rohit should come out in support of Hardik.

“I feel it may come to a stage where if this continues, then Rohit Sharma has to speak out publicly and really support Hardik. You don’t like to see that. I know it happens in The sports world, but the boos from the home fans were not okay. It was not Hardik’s decision to be captain. Mumbai Indians had taken that decision; they brought him back and gave him the captaincy,” Clark told ESPN.

Talking about a possible feud between the two, Clark hoped for a good atmosphere in the MI locker room.

“I just hope he [Rohit] and Hardik are both good. Again, they’ve always gotten along well. Rohit is a super guy and a great player, so that’s something else. You might also need a run from Rohit Sharma to give Mumbai the success they have been. But yes, if you are Mumbai Indians, let us get some wins. Hardik must continue to play well and hope the fans support the team and Hardik as captain,” he added.

Clark also recalled being booed by Australian fans after replacing Ricky Ponting as captain in 2011.

“One time as Australia captain, I was given a penalty at the Gabba. When I went out to bat, I was completely bowled over. The fans were booing me and then I thought I scored 100 and when I walked away “They gave me a standing ovation,” Clark recalled.