Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 campaign was a tough one, with captain Hardik Pandya facing a hostile reception from fans as the team finished at the bottom of the table. But a lot has changed since then. Hardik has gone on to win two ICC titles with India, including the T20 World Cup in June last year.

As he gets ready to make his first appearance of the new season, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene hopes the fans will "see beyond what happened last season."

Hardik missed MI’s season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk last weekend due to an over-rate penalty from the previous edition.

"I think it's just a game of cricket. Fans are fans and the emotions are part of it and I'm sure that everyone has gone beyond that," Jayawardene said on the eve of MI's match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday. "It's amazing to see how the loyalty and everything works even in IPL, which is fascinating, and I've enjoyed that from the outside. Twelve months on, he has achieved a lot more and I'm sure everyone will see beyond what has happened last year. We can enjoy a good game of cricket and everyone can enjoy a good game of cricket."

Mumbai Indians will be taking on Gujarat Titans on Saturday at 8 pm Bangladeshi Standard Time