Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian all-rounder, and World Cup winner delved into Mumbai Indians’ choice to appoint Hardik Pandya as the team’s new captain ahead of IPL 2024, providing a thorough analysis.
As the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) gears up for its kickoff on March 22, all eyes are on the Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, who are seen as one of the top contenders for the title. However, the buzz around the team isn’t just about their potential on the field; it’s also about their change in leadership. This year, the reins have been handed over to all-rounder Hardik Pandya, taking over from the long-standing captain Rohit Sharma.
The decision to appoint Pandya as skipper sparked mixed reactions. While some viewed it as a strategic move aimed at building for the future, others, especially fans of Rohit Sharma, felt disheartened by the change. The situation escalated when Ritika Sajdeh, Rohit’s wife, took to Instagram to challenge the explanation provided by MI coach Mark Boucher regarding Rohit’s removal as captain.
Adding fuel to the fire, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh shared his thoughts on the change in leadership in a video for host broadcasters Star Sports. Yuvraj expressed his belief that retaining Rohit as captain, even while reintegrating Hardik into the team, would have facilitated a smoother transition phase.
“Rohit Sharma is a 5-time IPL winner as a captain. Removing him is a big decision. I would have gotten someone in, like they brought Hardik (Pandya), but I still would have given Rohit one more season and let Hardik be the vice-captain and see how the whole franchise works,” Yuvraj told Star Sports.
Additionally, Yuvraj Singh discussed Rohit Sharma’s tenure as Mumbai Indians’ captain, recognizing the team’s impending need for a successor as Rohit nears the twilight of his career. Moreover, the former world champion commended all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his impressive stint with the Gujarat Titans.
“But obviously, I understand from the franchise point of view, that they have to see the future. But again, Rohit is still the Indian captain, and he’s playing really well. So, it’s a big decision,” Yuvraj added.
“In terms of talent, yes, he has great talent. Being captain of Gujarat is different from being a Mumbai captain. Expectations are a lot and MI are one of the top sides. You have to carry the pressure. I’m sure he will have good support around him. Hopefully, they do well,” the World Cup-winning former all-rounder concluded.
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