Even before the Tata IPL 2024 got underway the news of all- rounder Hardik Pandya moving from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians had created lot of buzz and along with it reactions. What had surprised fans was not Hardik moving on from GT but to Mumbai Indians as Skipper – replacing the man who had led them to five IPL titles , Rohit Sharma , the current national team skipper.
The Mumbai fans were aghast at the the franchise move. How could they replace a proven captain who has an impeccable track record as MI ? It was bizarre move . And as the tournament got under way , the feeling of the fans towards the captaincy change change was clear – they want Rohit Sharma at the helm and it is unthinkable that a national team captain is not leading a franchise in the IPL. Rohit for the record had led the MI to IPL wins in – 2013 , 2015, , 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Mumbai Indians lost 400,000 followers on Twitter an hour within an hour of announcing Hardik Pandya as their new captain ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Pandya was announced as the new captain of the side on December 15, 2023.
Hardik Pandya was booed when he led the Mumbai Indians at home ground Ahmedabad when MI took on GT. GT fans were livid as they felt betrayed by his move to leave the franchise leading them to title in 20222 and finishing runner-up to CSK in 2023. If home reception was hot then at Wankhede too in match against Rajasthan Royals the mood was no different. Fans booed Hardik as he went out for the toss with RR Skipper Sanju Samson.
Hardik was at the receiving end of fans’ booing on IPL 2024 matchday 14 after former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar gave the MI skipper a traditional welcome in Mumbai. “Two captains with me – Hardik Pandya, captain of the Mumbai Indians, a big round of applause, ladies and gentlemen,” Manjrekar said before the coin toss. Instead of receiving a hero’s welcome, Hardik was treated like an away team player as if he was not playing for the home side. With Hardik receiving a hostile reception from MI fans at Wankhede, Manjrekar issued the crowd an early warning. “Behave,” Manjrekar thundered on-air.
The MI management as matter of fact has handled the captaincy issue very ineptly. There were some reports that one of the condition that Hardik made while returning to Mumbai Indians was to become Captain. And Rohit was informed of the move during the ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup . It brings out the question what was the need for a franchise to mull captaincy change in middle of the ICC 2023 World Cup when Rohit was leading the national team.? Was it not a distraction? Could they have not waited for the tournament to get over ? Is club more important than country?
Mumbai Indians have often started slow in the IPL and have lost early matches only to bounce back in the later stages . This time though given the captaincy blunder and the boos towards Hardik Pandya the comeback will not be an easy one. The team looks divided and with boos for Hardik and chants for Rohit, Rohit not helping matters either.
The franchise could argue in its decision that it is time to move on from the Rohit era as he he is not getting younger now 36 . A new captain has to come in the near future. And Hardik age ( 30) is the future option. But given Rohit’s stature it was expected that the transition would be smooth one and not a messy and controversial like this. This captaincy conundrum finally could well decide how far will MI go in the tournament. The team MI faces a daunting task ahead. Mentor batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has his task cut out to make the team look united.
This Rohit – Hardik saga will continue further too as Rohit has been named skipper of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024 and so Hardik if picked remains to be seen how he plays under Rohit? Will the bitter MI experience reach the Indian dressing room time will tell. Watch this space .
