Navjot Singh Sidhu questioned why Rohit Sharma has been replaced as captain of the Mumbai Indians franchise, suggesting that the issue is primarily about timing and respect from the franchise.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former Indian cricketer, addressed the controversy surrounding Mumbai Indians’ captaincy, particularly the backlash towards Hardik Pandya. Sidhu highlighted the struggle fans face in accepting that a player slated to lead India in the T20 World Cup isn’t leading his IPL team. He suggested that Mumbai Indians’ victories could silence the criticism.
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Sidhu also pointed out that had BCCI named Rohit as the T20 World Cup captain, Mumbai Indians might not have chosen Hardik. Ultimately, he emphasized that the issue revolves around timing and the franchise’s respect for its players.
“Nobody can digest the fact that India’s hero, India’s captain, is not the captain of our franchise. ‘What wrong has he done?’ is what fans of the franchise would be thinking. But what does he have to do? There is nothing that succeeds like success. If he had won these two matches, there wouldn’t have been any noise,” Sidhu said in a chat during Star Sports Press Room.
“If the BCCI had named Rohit as captain for the T20 World Cup in October, the franchise wouldn’t have chosen Hardik as captain. It’s a matter of the franchise’s respect. So, the actual issue here is timing,” he added.
Navjot Sidhu further critiqued Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s predictable bowling strategy, emphasizing the need for a diversified bowling attack. He highlighted the importance of not relying solely on individual players like Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, stressing the need to strengthen every aspect of the team. Sidhu pointed out RCB’s spin department as a weakness, mentioning the departure of key spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sidhu then discussed the significance of IPL performances in influencing Team India’s selection for the T20 World Cup, likening the IPL to a mini World Cup where standout performances can elevate players’ prospects for international selection.
Last Updated on April 2, 2024
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