Fans On Anger Over Rohit Sharma’s Removal As Mumbai Indians Captain

Supporters of the Mumbai Indians (MI) took to social media to voice their displeasure at Hardik Pandya being chosen to lead the squad instead of Rohit Sharma. After joining MI prior to the 2011 IPL, Rohit was selected as the team’s captain in 2013 and led them to five IPL championships during the preceding 10 years. Along with Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni, he remains the most successful skipper. On the other hand, Hardik left MI in 2022 to join the Gujarat Titans, where he contributed to their first-season triumph. He led them to the title game the previous year as well, but GT lost to CSK at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The Mumbai Indians said in a statement early on Friday that the leadership change was a part of their future plans and complimented Rohit for his great contribution to the squad. The two most successful IPL teams are the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings, with five titles apiece. Rohit has led the club as captain since 2013, the year they won the first of their five IPL championships. He most recently led India to the World Cup final in the ODI format. In 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, there were more titles under Rohit’s direction. The Mumbai Indians made it to the postseason in the 2023 Indian Premier League.

In 31 games for GT in 2022–2023, Pandya scored 833 runs at an average of 37.86 with a strike rate of over 133. He also concluded with 11 wickets for the team, which was the highest score of 3/17. Moreover, Hardik played in 92 MI games from 2015 to 2021, scoring 1,476 runs at a strike average of more than 153 and averaging 27.33. He also recorded four half-centuries and a career-high 91. He had the top bowling numbers (3/20) in addition to taking 42 wickets for the squad. Hardik has won five IPL titles, four of which he earned with MI in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022.