“We act like this has not happened before,” Ravichandran Ashwin calls out Rohit Sharma fans for ABUSING Hardik Pandya

Ravichandran Ashwin called for the end of "ugly" fan wars.

“We act like this has not happened before,” Ravichandran Ashwin calls out Rohit Sharma fans for ABUSING Hardik Pandya

Ravichandran Ashwin is not happy with the hate Hardik Pandya is getting after replacing Rohit Sharma (Images via ESPN and IPL)

Hardik Pandya has been targeted by fans with hate and abuse ever since he became Mumbai Indians captain. Fans have abused him online and in the stadium as well, and things don’t look like it would slow down. 

Recently, Ravichandran Ashwin went live on his YouTube channel where he discussed Rajasthan Royals‘ win over Delhi Capitals. In the video, he addressed the hate his Indian teammate Hardik Pandya is getting. 

YouTube video

He was unhappy with how the all-rounder was getting booed in the stadiums and called fan wars “ugly”. Ashwin said it was the responsibility of the fans to ensure they treat the players well. He also took the example of former Indian captains whose fans didn’t abuse their successors.  

We act like this has not happened before. Sachin played under Ganguly's captaincy, these two have both played under Rahul Dravid. These three have played under Kumble and all of them have played under Dhoni.
Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube

Pandya was booed at the Narendra Modi Stadium during his first match as MI captain. Fans further mocked him by chanting Rohit Sharma’s name when he was bowling. 

Steve Smith gives advice to Hardik Pandya amidst hate 

Steve Smith is no stranger to hate and abuse from fans. The former Australian captain was hated by fans after his involvement in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal. After serving his ban for a year, fans kept mocking him, with English fans even wearing masks of him crying during the 2019 Ashes. 

Steve Smith and Hardik Pandya
Steve Smith and Hardik Pandya (Images via Imago)

Talking to ESPNcricinfo, he spoke about the hate he got amidst the hate Hardik Pandya is getting. He revealed that the hate did not affect him and called it “white noise”. He said the fans are entitled to their own opinions and how Pandya was never treated like this before.

I’d try and just say, to block it out, it’s all irrelevant. No one outside knows what you are going through. No one [from outside] is in that change room. 

Steve Smith told ESPNcricinfo

He also recounted the time he was made the captain of Rising Pune Supergiant after the owners sacked MS Dhoni. He said he and the former Indian captain had a great relationship, which made his time easier. 

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