Following Rohit Sharma’s ousting as captain by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024, Suresh Raina expressed solidarity with the cricketer. Playfully abstaining from wielding the MI paddle during IPL strategy discussions with Parthiv Patel, Raina quipped that he would have taken on the role if Rohit Sharma were still at the helm.
“Agar Rohit Sharma hota to pakad leta. (If Rohit Sharma was there, I would have picked it),” said Raina during the IPL Auction.
The contentious decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain sparked fervent debate and discontent among Rohit’s supporters. Raina’s sly remark during the mock auction added fuel to speculations about his disagreement with Rohit’s removal.
MI’s Global Head of Cricket, Mahela Jayawardene, acknowledged the emotional dimension of the decision. Despite fan reactions, Jayawardene stressed the necessity of such choices for the franchise’s future, balancing sentiment with strategic planning.
Rohit Sharma’s dismissal triggered a storm of fan reactions on social media, with the hashtag #BringBackRohit swiftly trending.
Fans expressed disappointment through impassioned pleas and memes, with some going as far as posting videos of burning their jerseys. Critics questioned the timing and rationale behind the move, citing Rohit’s notable track record and recent successes as captain.
