Hardik Pandya has officially replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Mumbai Indians team ahead of IPL 2024. The Mumbai-based franchise announced the decision via a social media post last evening. Since then, MI have lost lakhs of followers on social media.
Rohit has been the captain of Mumbai Indians since 2013. Under his leadership, MI won five IPL trophies and one Champions League T20 title. MI finished third in IPL 2023. Still, the team owners have changed the captain. Here are three reasons why replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya was a wrong move.
1. Hardik Pandya could have replaced Rohit Sharma after IPL 2024
The timing of this decision is not perfect. Rohit Sharma did a great job as India’s captain in ODI World Cup. He is also reportedly going to lead India in ICC T20 World Cup 2024. And now, at a franchise, where he has played for so long, he will play under a player who had debuted under his own captaincy. Hence, it is not good for a successful player like Rohit.
2. Hardik Pandya is an injury-prone player
Pandya captained Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 and 2023, and he did a phenomenal job. However, at times, he would miss matches or not bowl in the matches due to injuries. GT had to use Rashid Khan as captain in those matches. Now, MI may have to keep a back-up option as well.
3. MI players are not so happy with the development
Current and former players of Mumbai Indians are not so happy with how the team management handled the captaincy change. Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah posted cryptic stories on social media. Even Yadav’s wife Devisha Shetty uploaded a story and then deleted it.
MI’s former talent scout John Wright expressed his disappointment on social media also. Hence, the dressing room atmosphere may not be like a family in 2024.
