It was just a matter of time before cracks appeared in the Mumbai Indians camp ahead of IPL 2024. Hardik Pandya was traded from Gujarat Titans and made skipper for the next season, despite Rohit Sharma being available. Hardik Pandya though has an impeccable record as a skipper taking GT to the title in 2022 edition and finals in 2023 tournament,
Trouble is brewing. According to sources with knowledge in the know-how about the happenings related to the issue, speedster Jasprit Bumrah and Mr.360 Surya Kumar Yadav do not want to play with Hardik Pandya as captain. MI fans are extremely agitated and angry on MI owners after the removal of Rohit as the skipper. This is not a good sign
Suryakumar Yadav and Bumrah are leaders who will lead India in some formats in the future just like Hardik Pandya
It is said that both SKY and Bumrah have ambitions to lead the franchisee in the IPL. Both the players have been stand-in captains in the absence of Rohit Sharma across formats for India in the past. Their reluctance stems from their expectations to lead Mumbai Indians in the future.
Further trouble seems to be in store for MI and Hardik Pandya. As per sources, Rohit Sharma wants to play for Chennai Super Kings in the next edition. The appointment of Hardik Pandya as his replacement seems to have hit Rohit hard. This comes after the heartbreaking loss in last month’s finals of the ODI World Cup.
Rohit Sharma has been exceptional as skipper of MI. They are five-time IPL winners and were runners-up once. They have been the most successful franchise, along with Chennai Super Kings, in IPL history.
The cup of woes for Mumbai Indians is brimming after millions of social media users unfollowed Mumbai Indians after the news of Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit as skipper. Trouble times are ahead for MI. The obvious question remains: Even if MI retains all three players, how effective will Hardik Pandya be as a captain?