The ten teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are excited to assemble their teams in front of the competition’s seventeenth season, and the IPL 2024 auction is just a few days away. The five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) have announced a leadership change before of the much anticipated season. All-rounder Hardik Pandya has taken Rohit Sharma’s place as the team’s captain.
Notably, Hardik has traded players with the Gujarat Titans to return to MI after a two-year absence. With outstanding batsmanship and bowling statistics in their maiden season (2022), the all-rounder guided Gujarat to a championship win. In the 2023 season, he again guided them to their second straight final, when they were defeated by Chennai Super Kings in an exciting last-ball match.
To new beginnings. Good luck, #CaptainPandya 💙 pic.twitter.com/qRH9ABz1PY
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 15, 2023
But in an unexpected move before to the auction, MI acquired Pandya through a player deal in which they gave Gujarat INR 15 crore in exchange for an unknown transfer fee. By making the transfer, the 30-year-old rejoined the team that had first supported him throughout his formative years, having acquired him for INR 10 Lakh at the 2015 auction.
The all-rounder didn’t look back after that since he was instrumental in Mumbai’s four championship wins between 2015 and 2020. But following a weak season in 2021, MI let him go before the huge auction in 2022.
Prior to the 2022 season, Gujarat signed the cricketer, who was born in Gujarat, for an additional INR 15 crore. He was also named captain of the newly established team, which saw him experience enormous success.
With Rohit gone, Hardik has a lot of shoes to fill.
In the meanwhile, Pandya’s elevation to the captaincy of MI is a significant decision by the team, as Rohit Sharma was the one who, following a dismal first half of the 2013 season, drastically changed their fortunes. Mumbai, who were coached by Ricky Ponting, had lost three of their opening six games in 2013. In the middle of the season, Rohit was named captain starting with the seventh game.
Mumbai’s IPL history underwent a paradigm change as a result of the relocation, and they went on to defeat the two-time champion Chennai Super Kings in the final to win their first championship. After that, MI had no intention of looking back, and in the eight years under Rohit’s direction, they added five IPL trophies to their collection.
The 36-year-old guided a youthful team to Qualifier 2 in the 2023 season despite Jofra Archer’s injury. Jasprit Bumrah was not there. Mumbai is once again looking like a threatening team hoping to write the sixth magnificent chapter of their famous IPL history, with Pandya and Bumrah returning ahead of IPL 2024.
Mumbai’s IPL history underwent a paradigm change as a result of the relocation, and they went on to defeat the two-time champion Chennai Super Kings in the final to win their first championship. After that, MI had no intention of looking back, and in the eight years under Rohit’s direction, they added five IPL trophies to their collection.
The 36-year-old guided a youthful team to Qualifier 2 in the 2023 season despite Jofra Archer’s injury. Jasprit Bumrah was not there. Mumbai is once again looking like a strong team hoping to write the sixth magnificent chapter of their historic IPL history with the return of Pandya and Bumrah ahead of IPL 2024.
We would like to thank Rohit Sharma for his outstanding leadership: Mahela Jayawardene
It is a component of creating a lasting legacy and upholding the MI principle of being prepared for the future. The Mumbai Indians have always had outstanding leadership, from Sachin to Harbhajan and Ricky to Rohit, who have all worked to build the squad for the future while also contributing to the club’s current success. Hardik Pandya will lead the Mumbai Indians in the 2024 Indian Premier League in accordance with this ideology, according to a statement from Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance for the Mumbai Indians.
“We would like to thank Rohit Sharma for his outstanding leadership; since 2013, he has led the Mumbai Indians in a manner that is truly remarkable. In addition to bringing the club unmatched success, his leadership has cemented his status as one of the best captains in IPL history. MI became one of the most popular and successful teams in history under his leadership. To further enhance MI, we will welcome his advice and expertise both on and off the field. We extend our warmest welcome and best wishes to Hardik Pandya, the new MI captain,” he continued.
India
