Why “Chapri” ? 8 Reasons Behind Hardik Pandya’s Trolling in IPL 2024

Hardik Pandya’s journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is as fascinating as it is controversial. You might have come across the term “Chapri Pandya” being used by audiences or on social media platforms. Recently, Kevin Pietersen noted during commentary, “I have never seen an Indian cricketer being booed like this,” highlighting the unique and difficult spot Pandya finds himself in. In every IPL match, it’s common to hear Hardik Pandya being booed and called ‘chapri,’ a slang term that’s often used to describe someone as flashy or showy.

This negative reaction follows him off the field too, especially on social media where the criticism can be intense and unforgiving. Such widespread negativity makes one wonder: What has Hardik Pandya done to be disliked so much? Looking into the reasons, we find a combination of incidents during games, off-field issues, and public opinions that have shaped his controversial image among cricket fans and the wider public.

1. Rohit to Hardik: The Controversial Transition of MI Captaincy

One big reason for the dislike towards Hardik Pandya is his taking over as captain from Rohit Sharma for the Mumbai Indians team. Rohit is not just any IPL captain; he’s a cricketing star loved by fans all over India, and he’s also going to lead the Indian team in the T20 World Cup in 2024. Known for his calm, relaxed behavior, and constant smile, Rohit is seen as a nice family man without any show-off attitude.

The way Hardik became captain, directly replacing Rohit, caused a lot of anger and bad feelings. If the leadership change had happened smoothly, like how MS Dhoni handed over to Ruturaj Gaikwad, it probably wouldn’t have upset people so much. Many fans think that something unfair has happened to Rohit Sharma, and they blame Hardik Pandya for it.

2. Controversial Return: Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Demand and Departure from Beloved Gujarat Titans

The second reason for the negativity surrounding Hardik Pandya stems from the perceived motives behind his move back to Mumbai Indians. Critics argue that Pandya left Gujarat Titans, where he had significant success including winning an IPL title and reaching the finals in 2023, primarily for financial reasons. Rumors and reports suggest that Pandya had a condition for his return to Mumbai Indians: he would only come back if he were made captain, seemingly disregarding the existing leadership of Rohit Sharma. This action, perceived as prioritizing personal gain and status over team loyalty and respect for a seasoned leader like Sharma, has fueled anger and disappointment among fans and observers, casting Pandya in a controversial light.

3. Hardik Pandya’s Argument with Rohit Sharma: Debating the Reasons for Mumbai Indians Success

The third reason for the backlash against Hardik Pandya stems from his controversial comments comparing the team cultures of Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT). Hardik suggested that MI’s success was due to having high-quality players and implied that GT was trying to emulate the team atmosphere of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

in case you are feeling sad for Hardik Pandya pic.twitter.com/1PfjYVxIOG

— Dev 🇮🇳 (@time__square) March 28, 2024

These remarks agitated many MI fans and even Rohit Sharma, who responded by emphasizing that MI is known for creating stars. Hardik’s statements upset fans, who questioned how he could make such remarks about the MI franchise and still choose to return to it, further complicating the sentiment towards him.

4. Hardik Pandya’s Flashy Lifestyle and Ego off the Field

The fourth reason relates to Hardik Pandya’s flashy behavior and tendency to show off his success and lifestyle, particularly on social media. This showy display has not only attracted criticism but has also earned him the online nickname “chapri “, a term used negatively for people who seem overly flashy or showy. Unlike well-respected figures like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Rahul Dravid, who are not only respected for their on-field achievements but also for their humble nature off the field, Pandya’s extravagant and ego-driven actions have fueled negativity and disdain among fans and the public.

5. Pandya’s Controversial Decision on Rohit’s Boundary Positioning Sparks Fan Outrage

In the first T20 match against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, Pandya was noted for positioning Rohit Sharma at the boundary for fielding, an area where Sharma hasn’t been placed in recent times. While fielding at the boundary is not unusual, it typically doesn’t involve senior players, especially those advanced in age or less adept at fielding in such positions. This decision led to notable reactions, particularly from Rohit’s fans, who expressed their astonishment and displeasure on Twitter, finding Pandya’s strategy unusual and disrespectful to a senior player like Sharma.

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6. The Denial of Tilak Varma’s Fifty by Hardik Pandya

During the 2014 India-South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal, a notable incident involving MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli highlighted a captain’s selfless approach. Kohli handed the strike to Dhoni, expecting a flamboyant finish, yet Dhoni played defensively to set Kohli up for the winning shot, showcasing a team-first attitude.

Contrasting this, a match scenario involving Hardik Pandya and young talent Tilak Varma stirred controversy. With the game nearly won and Varma set to score a milestone of 50 runs, Pandya chose to finish with a strike, sidelining Varma’s achievement. This act, perceived as selfish, reminded fans of Dhoni’s earlier selflessness and sparked a debate on leadership qualities. The incident led to a backlash, questioning Pandya’s team spirit and captaincy, as he prioritized personal glory over nurturing emerging talent, a move that alienated him from fans and fellow players alike.

7. Koffee with Karan Controversy: Hardik Pandya’s Misogynistic Remarks Spark Widespread Backlash

The dislike for Hardik Pandya escalated following his controversial statements on a celebrity talk show where he appeared with teammate KL Rahul. During the show, they discussed personal subjects like dating, crushes, and personal lives. Pandya’s comments, especially regarding his actions and views on women, sparked outrage.

He openly boasted about his sexual experiences, saying, “When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, ‘Main karke aya hai aaj (I’ve done it today).’ When my parents inquired about my interest at a party, I pointed out several women and they said, ‘Wow, proud of you, son’.” Additionally, his comment, “I like to observe how they (women) move. I’m a bit from the black side, so I need to see how they move,” further alienated audiences. This discussion revealed a disrespectful and objectifying attitude towards women, leading to widespread criticism and significantly tarnishing Pandya’s public image.

8. Prioritizing IPL Over International Duty: The Controversial Availability of Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya’s commitment to national duty has been a topic of debate, especially given his consistent participation in the IPL despite a long absence from Test cricket since 2019. While Pandya’s talent and leadership on the field are undeniable, his frequent injuries have sidelined him from many international fixtures.

Notably, his last Test appearance was back in 2018, and despite being fit for various IPL seasons, he has missed a significant number of matches for the Indian national team. His recent injury during the 2023 World Cup and subsequent absence from tours and series have highlighted this pattern. Although Pandya is a key player for India, the disparity in his availability for the IPL versus international cricket has not gone unnoticed, with many fans and commentators questioning his prioritization of the lucrative league over representing his country.

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