With 2 defeats from as many games, Mumbai Indians’ newly appointed skipper Hardik Pandya is already facing the heat in terms of his responsibility as a leader. Filling the big shoes of Rohit Sharma who has won multiple titles in the gold and blue outfit wasn’t going to be an easy task in any manner. However, how both games have panned out for Mumbai, fans and pundits aren’t pleased in terms of the performance on the field.
Make Rohit Sharma Mumbai Captain again 🫡 #SRHvMI pic.twitter.com/67ebBNY7Cr
— Benjamin Chiklu (@abirchiklu) March 27, 2024
Captaincy Speculation
Speculation and discussions persist within the cricketing circles as the Mumbai Indians consider a potential change in leadership during IPL 2024. Whispers are indicating a possible return to captaincy for Rohit Sharma, as the franchise faces a critical juncture following a series of disappointing performances under the current leadership of Hardik Pandya.
Akash Ambani having a chat with Rohit after the loss.
Rohit Sharma will again captain Mumbai Indians
Captaincy deal done 👍 pic.twitter.com/gXgjjByCCl
— ꮩίκu (@Imviku_) March 27, 2024
Despite Pandya’s undeniable talent, the Mumbai Indians have stumbled in their initial matches, suffering defeats in both encounters. Their recent loss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad highlighted glaring weaknesses in Pandya’s captaincy, particularly evident in his strategic decisions on the field.
Defeat Against SunRisers
Choosing to field first proved to be a costly error as the Sunrisers Hyderabad capitalized on Mumbai Indians’ bowling, accumulating a formidable total of 277 runs. Pandya’s inability to contain the run flow resulted in Mumbai Indians conceding their highest-ever IPL total, prompting concerns about his leadership effectiveness.
Despite a promising start to their chase led by Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, Mumbai Indians faltered as subsequent partnerships failed to materialize. Pandya himself struggled to increase the scoring rate, contributing to Mumbai Indians falling short by 31 runs in their pursuit of victory.
Following Mumbai Indians’ consecutive losses, scrutiny over Pandya’s leadership has intensified. Disappointed fans are advocating for Sharma’s reinstatement as captain, citing his remarkable success in guiding the franchise to five IPL titles between 2013 and 2023.
The animated conversation between franchise owner Akash Ambani and Sharma after the defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad has further fueled speculation regarding the team’s leadership dynamics. The decision to remove Sharma as captain before the tournament raised eyebrows globally, given his exceptional leadership record.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Former India Pacer Targets Hardik Pandya For Poor Performance
