IPL 2024: 3 instances when crowd mocked players on the field

One of the biggest spectacles in cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL) provides two months of visual treat to fans across the globe. Indian fans enjoy this period as a festival and put aside their national adoration to root for their favourite franchises and players. Sometimes the intensity of on-field fights turns the crowd on and they may cross the line in showing their support for their team.

There have been many incidents where fans fail to control their emotions and do not hold back from mocking players from the opposite teams. This can be for various reasons, primarily to prove that their favourite players and teams are the superior ones. Although fan love and support are an integral part of the game, such incidents can be embarrassing but at the same time heat up the competition.

Here are the three instances when crowd-mocked players on the field in IPL 2024 -

3. Hardik Pandya booed by GT fans in Ahmedabad

The Hardik Pandya transfer saga has been the talk of the town since the 2024 mega auction. The star all-rounder earned all the hate from both Mumbai Indians (his current franchise) and Gujarat Titans fans. Unsurprisingly, the Ahmedabad crowd did not give the former Titans (GT) captain a warm welcome and a certain section of fans in the stands even booed him.

The current MI captain was involved in a misfield in their away match against GT and his haters did not spare his ears. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who was in the commentary box, expressed shock at the unexpected booing from the Indian crowd.

2. SRH fans troll CSK with a finger-on-lips gesture

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have had a decent run so far in the IPL 2024 season, winning three of their five matches. Hyderabad registered their second win of the season by defeating five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets at their home ground Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

SRH fans decided to celebrate in an intriguing way. They mocked CSK and their Yellow Army with a silent celebration by doing the figure-on-lips gesture. This was a reference to their skipper Pat Cummins' iconic “silencing a big crowd” quote ahead of last year's ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad.

Also Read: Young fan's advice for Hardik Pandya amid tough times

1. Hardik Pandya booed by the Wankhede crowd during the toss against RR

Hardik Pandya had a similar unpleasant experience during MI's first home match against Rajasthan Royals. The Wankhede crowd started booing when commentator Sanjay Manjrekar announced his name before the toss. The loud boo did not allow the new MI captain to hear Manjrekar, who schooled a certain section of fans to “behave”.

Hardik was surprised to see not the expected welcome he receiving from his home fans. There were chants of "Rohit, Rohit" throughout the match as fans expressed their love for the 'Hitman', who was removed from the reins after the GT all-rounder completed a sensational trade last year.