After leading the Gujarat Titans for two years, Hardik made a historic move back to the Mumbai Indians in November 2023. He was selected captain of the five-time IPL title winning club just four days before the Indian Premier League 2024 mini auction.
Since the team lost 400,000 followers in just one hour after the announcement, the action drew a lot of criticism. Since Rohit’s ten-year leadership came to an end, a sizable portion of the crowd was dissatisfied.
The former wicket-keeper said, “I think it was purely a cricketing decision. We saw the window period to get Hardik back as a player. For me, it’s a transition phase. A lot of people don’t understand in India. People get quite emotional, but you know you take the emotions away from it. I think it’s just more of a cricketing decision that was made, and I do think it is going to bring the best out of Rohit as a person and as a player. Just let him go out and enjoy and score some good runs.”
“He hasn’t had probably the best couple of seasons” : Mark Boucher on Rohit Sharma
In his ten years as captain, Rohit guided the Mumbai Indians to five IPL championships. He took over as captain in 2013. The 35-year-old’s leadership qualities were praised by Boucher. He also acknowledged that the opener hasn’t scored any runs during the past few IPL seasons.
Over the past several IPL seasons, Rohit Sharma has found it difficult to lead the Mumbai Indians consistently. In 2023, he scored 332 runs across 16 games, while in 2022, he only scored 268 runs in 14 games.
The Mumbai Indians Head Coach said, “One thing I did pick up with Ro (Rohit) is that he is a fantastic guy. I mean he’s been captaining for ages, and he’s done really well for Mumbai Indians. Now he also leads India as well. It is that he walks into a place and there are just cameras in it, and he’s so busy, and he hasn’t had probably the best couple of seasons of late with the bat probably, but he’s done well as a captain.”
Fans react as Mumbai Indians head coach clarifies decision to name Hardik Pandya caption ahead of IPL 2024: –
Mark Boucher said, "Hardik Pandya taking over the captaincy was purely a cricketing decision. We saw the window to get Hardik back, it's a transition phase. A lot of people in India don't understand, people get quite emotional". (Smash Sports Podcast). pic.twitter.com/XEJSYH7RQW
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 6, 2024
Why can't you brings best of Hardik Pandya by not giving him captaincy burden
— Cricket Wala (@asghar_muh88722) February 6, 2024
This could have been smoothly done before mega auction after IPL 2024
Does MI want to test the Captaincy capabilities of Hardik this year and based on that they will select captain for IPL 25-27 ??
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) February 6, 2024
Hardik taking over captaincy was never a problem but the way he entered in MI and took captaincy was big surprise for every Mumbai Indians fans.
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) February 6, 2024
Giving Captaincy To Hardik Pandya is Not Major Issue
But problem is that Atleast Rohit Sharma must Given A Chance to handover Captaincy to Hardik Pandya in Proper way? With smoothly and Rohit Sharma Statment about Captaincy HandoverThat is ideal Process
— Ajay Gautam (@gautam_ajay007) February 6, 2024
I think it's too early to take that decision, Rohit still could serve for 2-3 more years as MI captain ??
— Anish Verma (@anishverma1985) February 6, 2024
Sirf smile hi jachta hai iske face par gussa mein to saand dikhta hai
— Cricket Wala (@asghar_muh88722) February 6, 2024
Hardik Pandya showing middle finger to Rohit ?
— Taurus (@itz_chillax) February 6, 2024
Then ask him why thala dhoni is captaining in the ipl against every team ? His batting skills is wrost then Rohit sharma how could u say that Rohit is the wrost batter when he captained in ipl ? There is the biggest question of mine and every Rohit fans @marcbou
— Parth? (@Pa_rth_045) February 6, 2024
Or maybe people understand ambani's antiques to have hiw own way. They understand pandya's greed and they value the captain that made the franchise succesful and relevant? You could have communicated it to him instead of springing surprises,and reallg pandya might be talented
— Noone (@UdtaS) February 6, 2024
