Mumbai Indians informed Rohit Sharma before the World Cup that Hardik Pandya would rejoin the team from Gujarat and take over as captain, as reported by the Indian Express.
Before the World Cup, Mumbai Indians notified Rohit Sharma about Hardik Pandya’s return as the team’s captain for the upcoming season, as per reports from The Indian Express. Pandya’s move from Gujarat to Mumbai was contingent on assuming the captaincy role, and he had made this condition clear to MI. Sharma was briefed about the shift in captaincy during several meetings, accepting the plan to play under Pandya for the forthcoming season. Following discussions, the franchise agreed to Pandya’s stipulation, subsequently informing Sharma while he was at the World Cup. According to reports, Sharma entrusted the franchise with the decision-making process regarding the team’s future direction.
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“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. It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season.” Mahela Jayawardene had stated in a press conference.
In a recent release, Mumbai Indians expressed their appreciation for Rohit Sharma’s remarkable captaincy, citing his tenure since 2013 as extraordinary and pivotal to the team’s unparalleled success, earning him a place among the IPL’s finest captains. In 2013, Sharma took over the captaincy after Ricky Ponting’s initial struggles, leading MI to their first-ever league title, followed by four more victories, equalling MS Dhoni’s record.
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Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who left MI for Gujarat, guided the new franchise to their inaugural IPL title and led them to the final this year, ultimately losing to Chennai Super Kings. Expressing his return to MI as special, Pandya reflected on his journey since 2015 and how MI played a significant role in his career. His trade back to MI, a highlight of the trading window, involved Cameron Green’s exchange to Royal Challengers Bangalore to accommodate Pandya in MI for the IPL 2024 season.
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Last Updated on December 16, 2023
