IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya replacing ‘tired’ Rohit Sharma as MI captain will benefit franchise, says Sunil Gavaskar

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar backed Mumbai Indians’s decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain of the franchise for Indian Premier League 2024.

Gavaskar said the much-debated call would have been taken after the management felt the need for fresh thinking under a new skipper. Mumbai Indians named Hardik Pandya as their new captain for IPL 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma in a move that has divided opinions in the cricket fraternity even as Mumbai called it a ‘significant leadership transition’. MI’s former coach and Global Head of Performance, Mahela Jayawardene said the change in captaincy is part of a process that helps them to be “future-ready”.

Change of guard was on the cards for Mumbai Indians ever since they brought back Hardik Pandya in a historic trade deal of the IPL 2024 auction, scheduled for December 19. Hardik was released by MI ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction and the all-rounder went on to lead Gujarat Titans, a newbie franchise that came into existence in 2022. Hardik found immediate success in his first stint as IPL captain as he led Mumbai Indians to title in 2022 and to the final in 2023.

Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar opined that Rohit Sharma looked a bit tired leading Mumbai Indians in the last two seasons, highlighting that he was also leading India across all three formats from the start of 2022.

“We shouldn’t go into rights and wrongs. But, the decision they have taken is for the benefit of the team. In the last two years, Rohit’s contribution, even with the bat, has dipped a little bit. Earlier, he used to score big, but in the last two yearsâ€æ they finished No. 9 or No. 10 the year before last year and in the last year they qualified for the playoffs,” Gavaskar said.

“But we missed seeing the mojo in Rohit Sharma that we used to see in the previous few years. Maybe, he was a little tired because of playing continuous cricket, he was a little tired because of captaincy, leading India and the franchise,” he added.

“I feel that the decision, they have kept in mind that Hardik is a young captain who has produced results. Hardik has led Gujarat to the finals twice, and he led them to the title in 2022. I think they have made him captain by considering all this.”

Mumbai Indians last won the IPL title in 2020. The 5-time champions failed to make the playoffs in 2021 and 2022 and were knocked out in the first elimination match in 2023. In 2022, the franchise finished at the bottom of the points table.

‘FRESH THINKING FOR MI’
Gavaskar also backed Hardik Pandya to bring in a lot of success at Mumbai Indians, saying that the franchise will only benefit from the change in captaincy.

“At times, you need fresh thinking. Hardk brings in that fresh thinking. I think the decision will only benefit Mumbai Indians, it will not deter them,” he added.

Rohit Sharma is expected to be part of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, ensuring a smooth transition. The IPL trading window is open after the auction and until the week before the start of the new season next year.

Rohit Sharma left for South Africa to prepare for the upcoming 2-Test series, starting December 26. The 37-year-old, who led India to the World Cup final at home, took an extended break as he missed the 5-match T20I series against Australia and the ongoing white-ball leg of the South Africa tour. Rohit will lead the Test team in the two-match series.

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya has been out of action since he picked up an injury during a game against Bangladesh in the World Cup. The all-rounder is expected to be back for a T20I series against Afghanistan in January 2024.