Year number has changed from 2023 to 2024, captain changed from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya, but, Mumbai Indians’ faith has remained the same in the opening matches of the IPL for some time now.
Mumbai Indians once again suffered a defeat in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as they lost their opening match of the IPL 2024 against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Batting first, Gujarat Titans only scored 168 runs in 20 overs with Sai Sudarshan’s 45 and Shubman Gill’s 31 runs inning. With dew in play, it was an easy target to chase.
Although Mumbai Indians didn’t get a good start, but both Rohit Sharma and Dewale Brevis added a crucial partnership taking the score to 107 runs in 12 overs as Rohit Sharma got out. Mumbai were heading for victory, but their batting performance in the last 5 overs cost them the match.
Requiring 19 runs on the last, Hardik Pandya was dismissed on the third ball after scoring 10 runs in the first two balls. Eventually Gujarat Titans won the match by 6 runs.
There was much controversy around this match. First of all, Hardik Pandya’s return to his former team’s home ground and then him replacing Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians ignited the Mumbai fans against Hardik.
Meanwhile, when post match Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya was captured in an animated chat, behind them, Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani was seen talking to Rashid Khan. This started debate among the fans that after Hardik Pandya, Ambani is working to get Rashid to leave Gujarat and join Mumbai. Note that, Rashid Khan plays for various MI teams in other T20 leagues around the world.
Leave that Drama aside, and look how Ambani is planning for Rashid Khan ahead of the mega auction 🥲 https://t.co/4625aIBFcl pic.twitter.com/iLxvAgimOj
— TravisBickle (@TravisbickleCSK) March 24, 2024
Definitely a trade deal going on between Rashid khan and Ambani, @gujarat_titans be aware 👀👀#RashidKhan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/jWTJIg6ESv
— Sann (@san_x_m) March 24, 2024
Now Ambani will go for Rashid 😭 #GTvsMI
— ગુજરાતીમાં (@GujaratiTalk) March 24, 2024
dont surprise if Rashid switch to MI next season pic.twitter.com/pL6pXhxY7C
Rashid is cooking something with Ambani 🤣
— iThunder (@HiPrsm) March 24, 2024
I'm 100% sure he's coming to MI next season.😂 https://t.co/5BRBiUH7qZ
I can see Ambani already doing some back end work to bring Rashid to MI next season https://t.co/DQ42UxGuMA
— . (@ImBillu_) March 24, 2024
The way this Aakash Ambani hangs out with rashid,we should start counting his days at GT. https://t.co/BuCV9b3pXh
— Slayer (@Cricnerd36) March 24, 2024