Mumbai Indians will get a fresh look in the IPL 2024 with Hardik Pandya leading the five-time champions. The change in captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Pandya is a hotly debated topic on social media. Rohit Sharma led the side to five titles but before the IPL 2024, MI pulled off a surprise by recruiting Pandya back from Gujarat Titans. Hardik Pandya had earlier left Mumbai Indians to join Gujarat Titans as skipper. Parthiv Patel, former wicketkeeper of the Indian cricket team and ex-Mumbai Indian, shared an interesting incident at the Mumbai Indians camp during his time with the team.
“Rohit is always with the players and the biggest examples of that are Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Bumrah first joined MI in 2014, but when he played his first season in 2015, it didn't work out so well. It was as if he was going to be released mid-season, but Rohit felt that this player would shine and they should keep him. And you saw Bumrah's performances reach the next level from 2016 onwards,” Parthiv said during the Legends Lounge Show. on Jio Cinema.
“Same goes for Hardik Pandya. When he joined in 2015, he went into quite a frenzy, but in 2016 he had a bad season. The thing is, if you are an uncapped player, franchises are quick to release you and then judge how a player performs in Ranji Trophy or other domestic matches before maybe taking them back. But Rohit didn't let it happen. That's why these guys became the players they were.
He also talked about Hardik Pandya and even Jos Buttler, why not post the entire statement? @CricCrazyJohns https://t.co/3aEYgOIkgb pic.twitter.com/2j2bgOoM4J
— Serah (@Iwillhuntuhdown) March 14, 2024
“Talking about international players, I can talk about Jos Buttler. In the 2017 season, Rohit Sharma felt he could contribute more as an opener. So Rohit Sharma demoted himself and I opened with JOs Buttler.”
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya expressed his happiness on joining the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from March 22 and expressed the 'emotions' and 'memories' he felt after 'the seeing old friends and reliving the good old days.” Pandya on Monday joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The all-rounder will captain Mumbai Indians (MI), to replace their five-time trophy-winning skipper Rohit Sharma from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the cash-rich league's 2024 season. On Instagram, Hardik shared a video of him meeting some MI colleagues, including bowling coach Lasith Malinga, who was once Hardik's teammate was at MI during his playing days.
Hardik also expressed his excitement about what lies ahead for him with the franchise and definitely made his intention to “get started” loud and clear. He also shared some photos of himself sweating it out in the nets.
“Day 1. So many emotions, so many memories. Seeing old friends and reliving the good old days. Excited for what lies ahead with this great team. Let's get started @mumbaiindians,” Hardik's caption on Instagram read .
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