Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes fans should consider Hardik Pandya’s replacement as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain objectively rather than emotionally. Based solely on cricket logic, Sanjay Manjrekar feels the franchise’s decision to name Hardik as captain was sound.
Hardik returned to his first franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI), in an all-cash deal from Gujarat Titans (GT), and was chosen captain of the team for the next IPL season.
Sanjay Manjrekar told Star Sports after the first ODI of the India-South Africa series that Hardik is an in-form skipper and that the selection made perfect sense.
“One should not be thinking sentimentally or emotionally about Rohit Sharma. I think it’s a good move as Hardik Pandya is a proven leader and has had a great run. So, he is your in-form T20 captain and player. Rohit has been around for a long time. So, it makes a lot of cricketing sense to have somebody like Hardik.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
He added:
“I just hope he doesn’t feel the pressure of how the transfer happened and Mumbai Indians backing him so much.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Between 2013 and 2020, Rohit Sharma guided MI to five trophies, with Hardik Pandya playing a key role in the final four.
The all-rounder has had incredible success in his own right, guiding GT to a title in their inaugural season in 2022 and falling in the final this year. Hardik has also been India’s T20I skipper since the World Cup in Australia last year.
“Surprised that MI has moved from Rohit Sharma so early” – Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer, another former Indian batter, had a different take on the situation. The former Mumbai player was taken aback by MI’s decision to replace Rohit Sharma as captain.
According to reports, Rohit was told about Hardik’s return to the franchise and appointment as captain. The all-rounder allegedly decided to return to MI only on those terms.
“I’m surprised that MI has moved from Rohit Sharma so early. It happened so quickly, I’m also a little surprised. There were a couple of guys who were pretty hopeful of becoming the captain. One of them is Suryakumar Yadav, who is captaining the Indian team.
“He has captained really well. Jasprit Bumrah as well, he captained India in Tests. I hope it has been communicated really well. It was going to happen, but it happening straightaway this season, I am a little surprised.”
Wasim Jaffer
After winning the championships in 2019 and 2020 back-to-back, MI missed the playoffs the next two seasons and lost in the Eliminator the following season.
Following Hardik Pandya’s comeback, MI transferred all-rounder Cameron Green to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in order to provide breathing room for potential acquisitions in the next auction.