R Ashwin lends vocal support to Hardik Pandya amidst backlash over his Mumbai Indians captaincy, emphasizing unity among Indian cricketers. He states, "Neither the franchise nor the player has a role to play in this at all. I think the responsibility and the onus lies on the fans."
Ashwin condemns the booing of Pandya by fans, highlighting the unsavory culture of 'fan wars' tarnishing the spirit of cricket in India. He emphasizes, "Fan wars should never go in this ugly a route."
Hardik Pandya faces immense pressure and criticism as Mumbai Indians struggle in IPL 2024, sparking debate over his leadership capabilities. Ashwin expresses his amazement, saying, "It is very sad to point where in our comments section, people talk on Kohli and Dhoni. They're both legends. They're Indian team legends."
Ashwin calls for an end to hero worship culture, urging fans to appreciate players without demeaning others, emphasizing collective support for Indian cricket. He urges, "Heroes and hero worships are great. But you don't need to demean a player to make the other person look good."
Drawing parallels, Ashwin recalls past instances where Indian cricket legends played under different captains, advocating for mutual respect among players. He cites, "Sachin Tendulkar has played under Ganguly, and both men played under Rahul Dravid. All of them have played under MS Dhoni as well."
Ashwin questions the uniqueness of fan rivalries in India, contrasting with the absence of similar conflicts among players' supporters in other cricket-playing nations. He asks, "Have you seen this happen in any other country? Have you seen Joe Root and Zak Crawley fans fight? Or have you seen Joe Root and Jos Buttler fans fight?"
Ashwin shifts focus to fan responsibility, asserting that neither the franchise nor the player should bear accountability for the negativity, placing it squarely on fans. He emphasizes, "If you don’t like a player and boo a player, why should a team come out to issue a clarification?"
Emphasizing the emotional nature of sports, Ashwin urges fans to find balance in expressing their support without resorting to disrespectful behavior towards players. He states, "How we go beyond that, counter it and find balance to play cricket is what this is all about."
Expressing a desire for cultural evolution, Ashwin hopes to see a shift in fan behavior, advocating for a sports environment free from toxic 'fan wars'. He articulates, "This is one thing I’d love to see disappear from the face of the earth in our country."
With Mumbai Indians set to play their first home match, the focus shifts to Hardik Pandya's reception at Wankhede Stadium, signaling a crucial moment amidst ongoing criticism. Ashwin will be facing Hardik and MI next as RR will travel to Mumbai on April 1.