Fan wars should never take ugly route: Ashwin supports Hardik Pandya

Ashwin supports Pandya amid fan hostility, calls for rational behavior and end to toxic fan wars.

Veteran spinner R Ashwin came out in vehement support of besieged Hardik Pandya after the Mumbai Indians captain was subjected to venomous reception by fans across Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

Ashwin squarely blamed the prevailing atmosphere of "fan wars" and "cinema culture" for the hostile treatment of Pandya by the spectators and in social media spaces, which started after the all-rounder replaced Rohit Sharma as MI captain ahead of IPL 2024.

"Fan wars should never go this ugly a route. One should remember which country these players represent - our country. So, then what warrants a cricketer getting booed?

"I don't understand. If you don't like a player and boo a player, why should a team come out to issue a clarification," Ashwin said in his YouTube Channel while answering a question from one of the viewers.

Pandya had to go through a hostile round of booing during their season opener against his former side Gujarat Titans as the fans vented their sense of betrayal.

The 30-year-old also suffered a similar treatment by fans at Hyderabad, a neutral venue, in the match against the Sunrisers.

"This is cricket, and there is a prevalent cinema culture. I know there are things like marketing, positioning and branding. I agree with all that. But I don't believe in all this, but it's not wrong to indulge in either," said Ashwin.