Picture Credit: X/IPL
The crowd at the Wankhede Stadium erupted in Rohit chants when Mumbai Indians’ skipper Hardik Pandya appeared for the toss in the game against Chennai Super Kings. The Mumbai-based franchise hosted arch-rivals in the ‘El-Classico’ of the IPL 2024 at their home ground in Mumbai. The Nita Ambani-owned franchise lost their first three games of the season before bouncing back and recording two back-to-back wins. Chennai, on the other hand, remained unbeaten at home, Chepauk, while slumped in all their away matches.
Earlier during the match, when former India head coach and commentator Ravi Shastri welcomed the two captains Hardik Pandya and Ruturaj Gaikwad for the toss, the crowd at the stadium erupted in ‘Rohit’ chants. Moments before the toss, MI and CSK fans started chanting ‘Rohit Rohit’. Notably, Pandya has been the subject of fans’ boos in several matches amidst MI’s captaincy saga.
We really look forward to this fixture: Stephen Fleming ahead of MI vs CSK
Ahead of the big clash at the Wankhede, Chennai Super Kings' coach Stephen Fleming spoke about the ‘massive rivalries’ between the two teams. Flemings said, "We love it, to be honest. We really look forward to this fixture. It's a wonderful place to play and over the years it has developed into a really competitive rivalry, and it's based on two good teams playing successful brands of cricket.”
He added, "It's magnificent, to be honest. It is truly astounding the love that, let's be honest, the love that India has for MS Dhoni. And we are benefactors of that. So the team without doubt feel pride when they walk out to an away game. And there's a large amount of yellow if not all yellow. It's in some cases overwhelming. So you just got to make sure that it's a nice addition, not a pressure. But we're under no illusions about what's created it and who's created it and we're very proud of him and his involvement with the side.”
