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Since Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the skipper of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2024, there have been several speculations about his relations with the former captain Rohit Sharma. Notably, most of the fans aren’t happy with MI for replacing the five-time winning captain Rohit with Pandya ahead of the 17th season, and there the rumours of a speculated rift between the two cricketers.
After being a part of MI since 2015, Hardik Pandya was released by the franchise ahead of IPL 2022 and was appointed as the skipper of Gujarat Titans (GT). Pandya led GT to the title in their first season in 2022, and the franchise also as the runners-up under his captaincy in IPL 2023. Now, Pandya is back is back to his old franchise MI after GT traded him for ₹15 Crore ahead of IPL 2024 auction.
Pandya not only joined MI again but was also appointed as the skipper of the franchise for the upcoming season, replacing Rohit Sharma, under whom, MI have clinched five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. After the announcement, Rohit didn’t said anything about him getting replaced by Pandya. Recently, Pandya was asked about Rohit in the Mumbai Meri Jaan event by MI, to which he replied Rohit’s guidance will help him to perform better as the skipper. He also said that, it won’t be awkward if Rohit Plays under him in IPL 2024.
“First of all, it won’t be any different because he is going to be there to help me out, if I need any help. At the same time, he is the captain of the Indian team, which helps me because this team, what he has achieved under his captaincy, from now onwards, I want to carry forward what he has achieved,” Pandya was quoted as saying by India Today.
“It won’t be awkward or anything different. It will be a nice experience. I have played all my career under his captaincy. I know he is going to have a hand on my shoulder always, throughout the season,” he added.
‘Yes, and no’ Pandya spoke about whether he talked to Rohit after getting MI captaincy
SInce Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the MI skipper, the fans are curious about what’s going on between and Rohit Sharma. In the event, Pandya was asked whether he talked to Rohit or not after getting the captaincy. Pandya didn’t give an exact answer to this question and added that Rohit has been traveling a lot for the last couple of months. Notably, both Pandya and Rohit were seen playing together last time during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pandya was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an ankle in a match against Bangladesh and has been out of the cricketing action since then. On other hand, Rohit has played continuous cricket post World Cup, including the Test series in South Africa, T20i series against and the recently ended five-match home Test series against England.
“Yes, and no (Spoken to Rohit Sharma?). He has been travelling. He has been playing. It’s been only a couple of months since we have not seen each other. Whenever the IPL starts, which is from today onwards. Once he comes, we will have a chat,” Pandya had said.
The five-time champions MI will kickstart their IPL 2024 campaign with a match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 24th March.
