IPL 2024: Broadcasters trying to save Hardik Pandya? Crowd muted at toss during MI vs DC clash in Mumbai

Hardik Pandya has faced severe backlash from fans since taking over Mumbai Indians captaincy.

The match No. 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 between five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed a strange moment before the first ball was even bowled on April 7.

Viewers at home watching the MI vs DC clash on television noticed a strange moment. The usual loud Mumbai crowd noise seemed muted during the toss, leading to accusations that the broadcasters might have deliberately muted the the audio to downplay the boos directed at MI captain Pandya and save him.

It is to be noted that, in Mumbai’s previous matches, Hardik has faced backlash from fans and MI supporters as they are unhappy with the team management giving captaincy to him over five-time IPL winning captain Rohit Sharma.

Soon after the broadcasters muted the crowd during the toss, fans took it to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and started questioning this strange moment by the official IPL broadcasters.

Here are some of the tweets:

It is a crucial match for MI, who are yet to win a game in the season after playing three matches under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. They are at the bottom of the points table. DC are also struggling, having won just one out of four matches, they are at ninth spot in the points table currently.

Talking about the toss, the visitors won the toss and elected to field first. Mumbai Indians’ senior pro Suryakumar Yadav made a return to professional cricket after four months and was straight drafted into the hosts’ playing XI.

MI vs DC: Playing XIs of both teams

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee, Jasprit Bumrah.

(Subs: Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Shams Mulani)

Delhi Capitals: David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Jhye Richardson, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed.

(Subs: Kumar Kushagra, Yash Dhull, Fraser-McGurk, Sumit Kumar, Praveen Dubey)

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.