Did Hardik Push Malinga Away? Video Sends Social Media Into A Frenzy

Is all well in the Mumbai Indians camp? Hardik Pandya's appointment as the captain of the franchise, in place of Rohit Sharma, wasn't reportedly received in the best possible manner by everyone. After Mumbai incurred two consecutive losses in their first two matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, the situation seems to have worsened. A video has emerged on social media, making fans wonder if the relationship between Hardik and Malinga has turned sour. In the video, the MI captain could be seen pushing the legendary Sri Lankan away.

Malinga, who is a legend at Mumbai Indians, currently working as a coach, came to hug Hardik after the conclusion of the match but the skipper didn't seem to be in the mood and pushed aside the Lankan after a brief handshake. Here's the video:

Does Hardik Pandya kicked Lasith Malinga? His hands, face reaction same story.
Not a good way to treat legend like Lasith Malinga. #HardikPandya #SRHvMI pic.twitter.com/Yg5a5hNRTE — Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) March 28, 2024

Hardik Pandya was upbeat despite Mumbai losing their second successive match of the season, against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"Toughest soldiers get the toughest test; we are the toughest team in the competition, anyone who could have come close to where we reached as a batting group or just overall are us - let's make sure we will help each other; worst or good, we will be together," Hardik said.

Recapping the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad was put to bat first by Mumbai Indians. Fiery knocks came from Travis Head (62 in 24 balls, with nine fours and three sixes), and Abhishek Sharma (63 in 23 balls with three fours and seven sixes) that powered SRH to 148/2 in their 10 overs.

A brief 48-run stand between Abhishek and Aiden Markram (42* in 28 balls, with two fours and a six), Heinrich Klaasen (80* in 34 balls, with four boundaries and seven sixes) formed a 116-run stand in 54 balls to take SRH to 277/3 in their 20 overs, the highest-ever IPL total.

MI had been controlled well by SRH bowlers and restricted to a commendable 246/5 in 20 overs, losing by 31 runs.

With ANI Inputs