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'Always A Mumbai Boy' - AB de Villiers Supports Hardik Pandya's MI Captaincy Move 

image-lq886s50Hardik Pandya set the condition that he would return to Mumbai Indians only if he was given the captaincy (x.com)

In a shocking development, the Mumbai Indians, a five-time IPL champion, have appointed Hardik Pandya as their new captain, dethroning the long-standing leader Rohit Sharma, who secured five titles for the team in the last decade. This unexpected move has stirred dissatisfaction among fans, leading to some expressing their dissent by burning jerseys and caps in protest against the decision.

AB de Villiers Urges Fans to Embrace Hardik Pandya's Comeback

Former South African cricketer and RCB Hall of Famer, AB de Villiers, weighed in on the controversy during an interaction on his YouTube channel. Addressing the negative reactions surrounding Pandya's captaincy, de Villiers emphasized the all-rounder's longstanding association with the Mumbai Indians.

"Hardik has been with Mumbai for a long time. He was always a Mumbai boy and played for them from the start of IPL. You can say Surya and Bumrah stayed loyal to the brand, and Hardik decided to move on, but he's back," de Villiers stated, highlighting Pandya's integral role in the team's previous triumphs.

Expressing surprise at the negative fan reactions, de Villiers urged supporters to welcome Pandya back to the Mumbai Indians fold, despite his brief stint with the Gujarat Titans.

 "I found it strange that Hardik’s appointment saw very negative reactions. Mumbai Indians' social platform lost around a million followers, and people are upset. Fans should be happy about Hardik coming back," he remarked.

De Villiers called for a positive outlook, suggesting that fans extend their support to Pandya, especially considering his accomplishments with the Gujarat Titans. 

"Give Hardik a bit of a boost, welcome him back in the Mumbai Indians camp. I’m pretty sure if he lifts the trophy with the rest of the team, you guys are not going to have a problem with that," he emphasized.

The Legacy and Expectations- Transition from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya

With Rohit Sharma's monumental success as MI's captain, Pandya is shouldering the weight of heightened expectations. The all-rounder, who commenced his IPL journey under Rohit's leadership in 2015, witnessed Mumbai Indians securing five IPL titles during Rohit’s tenure.

As the cricketing fraternity grapples with the unexpected leadership change, de Villiers offered a pragmatic perspective. 

"I know he played two IPL seasons at Gujarat Titans, won a trophy there, made the final in another. But now he wants to come back as a more experienced player and captain," de Villiers explained, calling on fans to rally behind Pandya.

As he takes on the role of an experienced captain, Hardik Pandya faces a critical challenge in the upcoming IPL season, where he must prove his capabilities and silence the doubters, all while maintaining the impressive legacy established by Rohit Sharma.