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India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to lead Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, in the upcoming season. Pandya has assumed the captaincy role, stepping into the position previously held by the current Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma. Notably, it was Rohit who led Mumbai to clinch the prestigious IPL title five times. Nevertheless, prioritizing future prospects, the MI management has chosen to replace Rohit with Hardik as the team’s captain.
The announcement has not been without its repercussions, as fans expressed discontent over the replacement of Rohit. Social media platforms did witness a surge in campaigns rallying support for the former skipper, leading to a notable decline in Mumbai’s online following.
Yuvraj Singh reflects on the decision
Amidst the fervor surrounding the captaincy change, former cricketer Yuvraj Singh has provided insightful observation on the challenges faced by aging players in the dynamic landscape of franchise cricket. Yuvraj highlighted the dilemma faced by franchises in balancing the promotion of younger talents against the invaluable experience brought by seasoned players.
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“In franchise cricket, it always gets tough as you get old. Every franchise is always looking to promote a young player on whom they have spent a lot, and that is only fair. I have faced this situation too. But then, there can’t be a replacement for experience. Rohit has huge experience and has delivered. But a franchise has to think long term,” Yuvraj told The Times of India.
Hardik Pandya’s stellar statistics
Adding context to the leadership change, statistics underline Pandya’s impressive performances in recent seasons. Playing for Gujarat Titans (GT) from 2022 to 2023, Pandya amassed 833 runs and took 11 wickets in 31 matches. His IPL records with Mumbai, scoring 1,476 runs and claiming 42 wickets in 92 matches, showcase his all-round prowess. Pandya has already secured five IPL trophies, four with MI and one with Gujarat.
