Reinvoking the Spirit of Cricket in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League, Virat Kohli rallied behind Hardik Pandya as the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper urged the Mumbai Indians fans to stop chanting against their franchise skipper on Thursday. Kohli gestured from the middle to make sure Pandya didn’t go through a hostile round of booing in match No.25 of the IPL 2024 between RCB and MI at the famous Wankhde Stadium.

Pandya has been facing the wrath of MI fans ever since the all-rounder replaced Rohit Sharma as the leader of the Mumbai Indians. Hardik completed his sensational switch to Mumbai from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal before the new season. Pandya was subjected to venomous reception by fans in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. When a section of fans targeted Hardik at Wankhede, superstar Kohli reminded the MI faithful that the Mumbai skipper represents Team India in the international arena.

When Hardik walked out to finish the run chase for the Mumbai Paltan, the MI skipper was not at the receiving end of the hostile reception as Kohli told the Wankhede crowd to applaud their captain. Kohli’s incredible gesture to quieten the crowd became an instant hit among the fans. Fans and followers of the game also marvelled at Kohli’s sportsmanship on social media. Finishing things in style at a packed Wankhede, Pandya smoked a six to end the IPL encounter in Mumbai’s favour.