In a major development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Mumbai Indians, a five-time champion, revealed that Hardik Pandya, the renowned all-rounder, will be taking over the captaincy reins from the iconic Rohit Sharma. This announcement stirred a wave of mixed emotions among fans, particularly those devoted to Rohit Sharma.
Videos circulating on social media showcase the discontent, with one fan even burning the Mumbai Indians cap and jersey in protest of the change in leadership.
Hardik Pandya, previously leading the Gujarat Titans, made a noteworthy return to the Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal before the IPL 2024. The anticipation surrounding his comeback was palpable, yet the shift in captaincy has altered the overall sentiment among the fanbase.
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Despite reaching the knockout stages in the 2023 IPL, the Mumbai Indians fell short of clinching the title. With the change in leadership and the inclusion of Hardik Pandya in the squad, there is a renewed sense of curiosity about how the five-time champions will perform in the upcoming season.
A Rohit Sharma fan burns the Mumbai Indians’ cap. pic.twitter.com/FtlTI20VvY
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 15, 2023
You deserve this @mipaltan 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/BdMQ06v0pe
— Shreyas_s_p (@Shreyassp11) December 15, 2023
Mahela Jayawardene, the Global Head of Performance for the Mumbai Indians, provided insights into the rationale behind appointing Hardik Pandya as the new skipper. According to Jayawardene, the decision is in line with the franchise’s commitment to legacy building and ensuring readiness for the future.
Speaking to The Hindustan Times, Mahela Jayawardene stated, “It is part of legacy building and staying true to the MI philosophy of being future-ready. Mumbai Indians have always been blessed with exceptional leadership right from Sachin to Harbhajan and Ricky to Rohit, who while contributing to the immediate success have always had an eye on strengthening the team for the future.”
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He further emphasized, “It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season.” The Mumbai Indians seem poised for a new era under Pandya’s captaincy, as they strive to maintain their legacy and prepare for future challenges in the IPL.
