Hardik Pandya who returned to Mumbai Indians recently after his successful stint as the skipper of Gujarat Titans will now take over the reigns from Rohit Sharma and lead the team for IPL 2024.
The biggest trade to ever happen in IPL history happened on the grounds of Pandya asking for the captaincy cap of Mumbai Indians, sources said to Indian Express. The report further suggested that Rohit Sharma was aware of the developments since the beginning.
Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener and well-known commentator, further talked in favour of the report. On his YouTube channel, he made an observation on familiar lines.
“Why would you go if you are not being made the captain?” said Chopra.
On Friday, Ambani’s Mumbai Indians announced that Pandya will be leading the team in IPL 2024. MI’s move comes less than a month after the Mumbai franchise announced that Hardik had returned to their fold following a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans.
In a statement, Mumbai Indians said the change in leadership was part of their future planning and thanked Rohit for his exemplary service to the franchise.
“We express our gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership; his tenure as the captain of the Mumbai Indians since 2013 has been nothing short of extraordinary. His leadership has not only brought unparalleled success to the team but has also solidified his place as one of the finest captains in the history of the IPL,” the official statement of Mumbai Indians read.
“We welcome Hardik Pandya as the new captain of MI and wish him all the very best,” said Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance, Mumbai Indians.
Hardik Pandya’s performance in IPL:
In 31 matches for GT from 2022-23, Pandya scored 833 runs at an average of 37.86 and a strike rate of over 133, with six half-centuries and a best score of 87*. He also had 11 wickets for the team, with the best figures of 3/17.
Pandya also played 92 matches for MI from 2015-2021, scoring 1,476 runs at an average of 27.33 at a strike rate of over 153, with four half-centuries and best score of 91. He also took 42 wickets for the team, with the best bowling figures of 3/20.
Pandya has won five IPL trophies, four with MI (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and GT (2022).
Hardik contributed to Mumbai’s glorious run in the IPL, playing a key role in the team’s triumph between 2015 and 2021 before leaving to captain the Titans. He led them to the title on its IPL debut in 2022 and to a runners-up finish earlier this year.
(With PTI inputs)
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