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‘Hardik Could’ve Played Under Rohit For…’: Ex MI Star Opines Ahead Of IPL 2024

Pandya is set to replace Rohit as MI captain (BCCI)Pandya is set to replace Rohit as MI captain (BCCI)

Former Mumbai Indians star Ambati Rayudu believes the franchise made the decision of replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as team captain in 'haste', and they should have waited for at least a year before doing so.

Back in December 2023, i.e. shortly before the IPL 2024 auction, the Mumbai Indians management confirmed then-injured Pandya as their new full-time skipper. The franchise had traded-in the star all-rounder from Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2024 retention phase in November.

Rayudu believes Pandya should play under Rohit Sharma

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu recently stated that the Mumbai Indians franchise should have persisted with their decade-long skipper Rohit Sharma, considering the five-time IPL winner is also captaining the Indian cricket team.

Moreover, Rayudu is of the opinion that Hardik Pandya should have played under Sharma’s captaincy for at least a year in order to get acclimatized with the Mumbai Indians setup before taking up their leadership role. While speaking with News 24, he said:

“Mumbai Indians' decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain made in haste. The franchise should've stuck with Rohit for this season as he is still captaining the Indian team. Hardik could've played under Rohit's captaincy at MI for a season and then taken up the leadership role from the next year. Coming from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians as a captain could be difficult for Hardik as the setup is different.”

Regardless, Mumbai Indians franchise will begin their IPL quest in 2024 with a match against Gujarat Titans on March 24 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Hardik Pandya’s troops are scheduled to play four matches between March 24 and April 7, as per the first two weeks’ worth of IPL 2024 schedule unveiled by the BCCI.