‘Injury bolke cricket se durr aur politician se meeting’ – Fans react as Hardik Pandya joins Amit Shah at Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Premier League inauguration

Hardik Pandya, Team India’s stand-in captain in limited-overs cricket, is currently out of action due to an ankle injury. Pandya suffered a serious injury during India’s ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh. While the all-rounder is currently in recovery mode ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) season 17, he rarely makes public appearances.

In one such rare outing, Pandya was spotted with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the inauguration of the Gandhinagar Premier League on Monday (February 12). The star cricketer unveiled the trophy alongside the Indian politician. Notably, Amit Shah’s son and the honorable secretary of the Indian Cricket Board Jay Shah was also present at the venue.

Reminiscing about the ceremony held at the Chharodi Gurukul ground, Amit Shah tweeted that the league aims to promote better physical health. Shah, who is also Gandhinagar Lok Sabha MP, took to his X handle to say that he is confident that the tournament will promote the sports culture in the region.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, ‘Parliamentarian Sports Competition’ is being organized across the country and under this, Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Premier League has started. I am confident that this cricket tournament, played between the 7 constituencies of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha, will prove useful in promoting sports culture and a healthy lifestyle in the area,” Amit Shah wrote on Twitter.

Hardik Pandya gearing up for a blockbuster Mumbai Indians return 

Hardik Pandya has never been out of the headlines since his transfer to Mumbai Indians (MI) was rumoured. The reports turned out to be true as the Gujarat Titans (GT) captain was traded for an all-cash deal ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction. Pandya was then announced as the captain of the five-time champions, replacing Rohit Sharma, one of the most successful captains in league history.

The fast-bowling all-rounder has led GT in the last two seasons and won them a title in their inaugural season (2022). While there is no doubt about his leadership qualities, it will not be easy for Pandya to carry on the legacy that Rohit has created for the Mumbai-based franchise over the last decade.

Here’s how fans reacted to Hardik Pandya meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah: