Hardik Pandya is the present captain of team Mumbai Indians replacing Rohit Sharma. Fans of the former captain are not happy with this decision by the MI management. The captaincy change ahead of IPL 2024 shocked the nation. Hardik has to face backlash from many for taking the place of Rohit.
IPL 2024 will commence on Friday, the season openers will be the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Meanwhile, MI will face Gujarat Titans, on Sunday.
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Mumbai Indians finished in fourth position last season. They lost to GT and didn’t reach the final. The five-time champions are seeking a record-sixth trophy with Hardik in the squad.
For the upcoming edition of IPL (2024), Hardik returned to MI as skipper
Ahead of the 2022 season, MI released Hardik and was purchased by Gujarat Titans. He was made the captain of the team. The star all-rounder served as the captain of Gujarat Titans and spent two successful seasons with the team, also winning the IPL title in 2022 followed by a runners-up finish in 2023. On his return to MI, he was awarded a captaincy role upon joining the team.
During the team’s pre-season press conference in Mumbai, Hardik reacted to the backlash over the captaincy change
On Monday, March 18, Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya and head coach Mark Boucher answered media questions during the press conference in Mumbai. Hardik was constantly asked about the backlash he received over the captaincy change ahead of IPL 2024. Hardik came up with a thoughtful reply, he said,
“To be honest, I respect the fans and everything but at the same time we focus on the sport and I focus on what is required”
The all-rounder also added,
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“I control the controllable, I don’t focus on which I can’t control and at the same point, we are grateful to the fans as a lot of love, fame and name come from them. They have every right to express and we respect their opinion I am very excited and going to focus on it more.”
Hardik also said that the captaincy change will not be any different and that Rohit Sharma will support him in the IPL 2024.
“It won’t be any different because he will always be there to help me out if I need his help. At the same time, his (Rohit) being the Indian captain helps me because this team has achieved all its glory under his belt. From now on, it will just be me carrying forward what he started. I know he will have his hand on my shoulder all through the season”
Watch the footage of the conference here
Follow all the updates from the Press Conference on this
YouTube Live ➡️ https://t.co/XpqMBB7e6x#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 18, 2024
What are your views on the captaincy change of Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024? Let us know in the comments.
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