Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
Meanwhile, former India cricketer turned cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Rohit will be a bit uncomfortable playing under the captaincy of Pandya in IPL 2024.
As per Manjrekar, Pandya carries a bit of swagger alongside him and the likes of Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav playing under him will be entertaining to watch.
“It’s going to be tricky. Hardik Pandya is a guy who has got a bit of a swag. He will carry that into the Mumbai Indians dressing room as well. And it will be a bit uncomfortable because Rohit Sharma might have thought, he will get one more year as captain. Suryakumar Yadav might also have something similar in his mind, that he might have been able to lead Mumbai Indians this season. But Hardik Pandya won’t let that affect him. It will be entertaining,” said Manjrekar during a recent interaction.
Meanwhile, as per former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel, Pandya will be under tremendous pressure while leading MI in the forthcoming IPL season. However, he termed Pandya’s appointment as captain a well thought-out decision by the franchise.
“There will be a lot of pressure on Hardik. It will be challenging; replacing a five-time title-winning captain and a team that is used to playing a certain way for 10 years. And, this change of guard will be challenging for Hardik and for the players who are so used to playing under Rohit Sharma,” said Parthiv.