Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma
Hardik Pandya has reportedly unfollowed Rohit Sharma on Instagram as the two embroil over Mumbai Indians captaincy ahead of the forthcoming IPL 2024 season. Pandya’s recent social media activity came to the fore on February 8, at a time when the star all-rounder is working his way towards attaining full recovery from his ankle injury.
Hardik Pandya ‘unfollows’ Rohit Sharma
Hardik Pandya has unfollowed Rohit Sharma on Instagram after taking over Mumbai Indians captaincy from the latter.
Back in November 2023, the Mumbai Indians franchise roped in Pandya from Gujarat Titans and appointed him as new skipper for the 2024 season, thus replacing decade-old captain and five-time IPL winner Rohit Sharma.
The decision did not go down well with the fans, as a number of Mumbai Indians followers expressed their displeasure at the treatment of the franchise veteran.
Moreover, when Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher explained that the change in captaincy announcement was “purely a cricketing decision”, Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh expressed her disagreement, stating, “so many things wrong with this.” Her comment further sparked tensions and strengthened speculations of a rift within the franchise.
Earlier this year, ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah also unfollowed Mumbai Indians’ social media pages and posted cryptic messages, thus hinting his dissatisfaction over Sharma’s demotion.
Regardless, Rohit Sharma is currently leading the Indian team in their home Test series against England; while Hardik Pandya is recovering from the ankle injury he coped at the 2023 World Cup.
Both cricketers are expected to turn up for the Mumbai Indians this IPL 2024 season, set to commence sometime in March this year.
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