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‘I Respect The Fans' Emotions’ - Hardik Pandya On MI Captaincy Change Ahead Of IPL 2024

Hardik Pandya during a Mumbai Indians training session (x.com)Hardik Pandya during a Mumbai Indians training session (x.com)

Hardik Pandya is set to make his return to competitive cricket through the upcoming IPL 2024 season, as Mumbai Indians captain no less. The all-round maverick was appointed as the new skipper of the franchise back in December last year, thus replacing decade-long captain Rohit Sharma.

The decision ended up drawing much criticism from fans for both, the cricketer as well as the franchise.

Opening up on the diverse fan reaction for the first time, Pandya recently claimed that while he respects everybody’s sentiments, as of now his only aim is to focus on the primary task at hand.

Hardik Pandya opens up on fan reactions

During a Mumbai Indians press conference ahead of IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya opened up on fans’ diverse reactions and also signified his own primary task at hand. He said:

“I respect the fans' emotions, but I can only control the controllable. I respect them but I will focus on what I can be doing.”

Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the finals of the IPL 2023 season, was acquired by the Mumbai Indians franchise later in the same year during the IPL 2024 players retention phase.

He underwent a knee injury midway during India’s runners-up campaign at the 2023 World Cup at home, which prompted him to miss out of team’s subsequent series against Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan.

As of now, Hardik Pandya is scheduled to lead the Mumbai Indians in their opening match of the IPL 2024 season against Gujarat Titans. Their much-awaited faceoff will be staged at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on March 24.