Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Rohit Sharma may feel somewhat uncomfortable playing under Hardik Pandya, who is set to lead the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision came as a surprise last December, as the highly successful Rohit was replaced as captain despite leading the franchise to five IPL titles. Hardik, who returned to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans in November, has been entrusted with the leadership role.
While the franchise made this decision with the transition in mind, it received mixed reactions, with some expressing dissatisfaction over Rohit’s removal as skipper. Manjrekar finds the prospect of players like Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav playing under the dynamic all-rounder Hardik quite intriguing due to the swagger he brings to the team.
“It’s going to be tricky. Hardik Pandya is a guy who has got a bit of a swag. He will carry that into the Mumbai Indians dressing room as well. And it will a bit uncomfortable (thoda uncomfortable hoga) because Rohit Sharma might have thought, he will get one more year as captain. Suryakumar Yadav might also have something similar in his mind, that he might have been able to lead Mumbai Indians this season. But Hardik Pandya won’t let that affect him. It will be entertaining,” Manjrekar said in an interview.
Back at it ๐ค pic.twitter.com/5qC3l3iX8c
โ hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) February 15, 2024
Parthiv’s Opinion
Former India stumper Parthiv Patel also acknowledged that Hardik will face significant pressure as the new captain of Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL. However, he sees the decision to appoint Hardik as captain as a well-considered move by the franchise.
“There will be a lot of pressure on Hardik. It will be challenging; replacing a five-time title-winning captain and a team that is used to playing a certain way for 10 years. And, this change of guard will be challenging for Hardik and for the players who are so used to playing under Rohit Sharma,” Parthiv said.
The 17th edition of the IPL is scheduled to commence on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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