Fans on the internet went into overdrive after five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians announced Hardik Pandya as their captain, replacing Rohit Sharma from the position, starting from the 2024 season.

 

Interestingly, Hardik Pandya returned to the franchise only days ago, sealing a remarkable comeback to his parent Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans (GT), whom he powered to a maiden IPL title in their first season in 2022.

 

During IPL 2023, Hardik Pandya's team topped the points table during the group stage before making it to the final. However, the Gujarat Titans failed to lift their second successive IPL trophy after losing to MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in the title clash.

 

Following his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2015, Hardik Pandya played for the side for seven consecutive seasons before parting ways to join Gujarat Titans during the 2022 season.

 

During his seven-year stint with Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya was a crucial link in the Rohit Sharma-led team's title-winning campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

 

On the other hand, under Rohit Sharma's ten-year stint as captain from 2013 to 2023, Mumbai Indians lifted trophies in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.  

 

But the franchise's performance in the last three years hasn't been as good as it used to be. Moreover, Rohit Sharma turns 37 in April next year, and that's perhaps why the management of Mumbai Indians would have thought about replacing him with a young face to lead the team.

 

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Among the first to react to Hardik Pandya's appointment was Mahela Jayawardene, who serves as Mumbai Indians' Global Head of Performance.

 

“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,” Mahela Jayawardene stated.  

 

“It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season,” the Sri Lankan great added.

 

“We express our gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership; his tenure as the captain of the Mumbai Indians since 2013 has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Mahela Jayawardene continued. 

 

“His leadership has not only brought unparalleled success to the team but has also solidified his place as one of the finest captains in the history of the IPL. Under his guidance, MI became one of the most successful and loved teams ever. We will look forward to his guidance and experience on and off the field to further strengthen MI. We welcome Hardik Pandya as the new captain of MI and wish him all the very best,” he asserted.

 

Though Rohit Sharma's sacking as Mumbai Indians' skipper came as a shock to his legion of fans, two former India cricketers, Aakash Chopra and Ravichandran Ashwin, and South Africa legend AB de Villiers, had predicted such a scenario after Hardik Pandya's returned to the franchise from Gujarat Titans.

“Rohit Sharma does not have much ego. He is a great human being and a sound leader. He will handle it with grace (if Pandya is made MI leader). In the history of IPL, apart from the top four to five teams, all have released players. Mumbai and CSK have never done it. I know Hardik to an extent. I see this move as a milestone achievement,” Ravichandran Ashwin said in a YouTube conversation with former cricketer S. Badrinath.

 

“A rumour is doing the rounds that Hardik is moving towards Mumbai. It has been heard, no confirmation has come. If he is leaving, firstly Gujarat are releasing him – won once and reached the final in next season. If he is leaving, will he be made Mumbai's captain? Why would you go if you are not being made the captain?” Aakash Chopra commented on his YouTube channel.

 

“I have not heard the end or the start of this story properly. So I am waiting and watching what happens there because it seems like something will happen. There is no smoke without fire and there is smoke for sure that Hardik is going. However, will Rohit Sharma go to GT? Is that a possibility – I don't know,” Aakash Chopra noted.

 

“I have got a funny feeling Rohit is going to let him (Hardik) captain and take over the reins. Rohit carries a lot of pressure by captaining Team India as well. Maybe that is going to be the move,” AB de Villiers emphasized.

 

“It's a big news for Mumbai Indians. He (Hardik) was a big player for Mumbai for many years. He loved playing at the Wankhede Stadium. He won the trophy with GT and then also went to the final (next season). He probably feels his time there is done,” he concluded.