Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya and head coach Mark Boucher skipped the questions regarding team management's decision to remove Rohit Sharma as captain ahead of IPL 2024.
Rohit, who led Mumbai Indians to record five IPL titles, was replaced by Hardik Pandya as captain ahead of the upcoming IPL season. The decision was announced just a few weeks after Hardik was traded to Mumbai Indians by Gujarat Titans, with whom he captained the side to two IPL finals on the trot, including winning a maiden triumph in team's debut season in 2022.
However, the appointment of Hardik Pandya as captain by Mumbai Indians was met with criticism as many believe it was unfair by management to sack Rohit Sharma from leadership duties despite being the only winning captain for the team.
In a viral video, a reporter can be heard asking Mark Boucher about Mumbai Indians' management's reason behind replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as a captain of the side. Boucher didn't have any answer to the question.
Free Press Journal sports journalist Rohan Sen asked MI skipper Hardik Pandya about the captaincy clause in his contract. However, a member of the team's management stopped the journalist from asking the question. The video of this incident went viral on social media.
Hardik Pandya will be leading a team that has a rich legacy in the history of Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians are the joint-most successful IPL teams alongside Chennai Super Kings, with five titles of the tournament. Hardik Pandya has an ardrous task of regaining the glory of Mumbai Indians, that haven't won the title in last three IPL seasons.
'I control the controllable': Hardik on criticism over MI captaincy change
Hardik Pandya broke his silence with regards to his criticism on captaincy change by Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024. The star all-rounder stated that he respect the fans' opinion but he can only control that could be controlled. Pandya added that he will try to carry on what team has achieved the dynamic leadership of Rohit Sharma.
"I will just carry forward whatever this team has achieved under Rohit Sharma. I control the controllable. We are very grateful to the fans, they have every right. I respect their opinion." Pandya said at the press conference.
Hardik Pandya joined the Mumbai Indians as a rookie in 2015 and went on to establish his name in the team as well as in the IPL. Through MI, Pandya emerged as a talented all-rounder and earned his place in the Indian team. He served seven IPL seasons with Mumbai Indians and won four titles with the team.
