'Sabse Upar Rohit Sharma..', Irfan Pathan Hails Hitman After MI Name Pandya IPL Captain
Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma during IPL 2023 (IPLT20.COM)
In a significant turn of events, Mumbai Indians have announced Hardik Pandya as their new captain, thus bringing conclusion to Rohit Sharma’s decade-long leadership stint for the franchise.
Pandya was recently roped in by the Mumbai Indians' management from the Gujarat Titans' setup after the all-rounder had led the latter in their first two tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023. The 30-year-old will now be helming the five-time winners in the forthcoming IPL 2024 season.
While the decision to replace Sharma drew in a slew of mixed reactions from all across the cricketing fraternity, Irfan Pathan has also given his take on the subject by making a sly dig at the franchise.
Pathan signifies Rohit Sharma’s contributions for MI
Former Indian all-rounder and active commentator Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his reactions mere hours after Mumbai Indians confirmed Hardik Pandya as their new skipper going ahead.
Pathan signified ex-skipper Rohit Sharma's value for the side and claimed that the latter's name will always remain on top in the history of the franchise. He wrote:
"Kitne bhi saal ki purani ye franchise kyon na ho jaae sabse upar naam Rohit Sharma ka rahega. @ImRo45 @mipaltan."
Rohit was appointed as Mumbai Indians' full-time skipper halfway into the 2013 edition of the tournament by replacing self-exiled Ricky Ponting.
In his maiden leadership assignment, the cricketer led the franchise to title glory and added four more trophies to their cabinet in the subsequent decade to make them the most decorated franchise in the tournament's history.
Moreover, Sharma also led Mumbai Indians to a Champions League T20 win in 2013 to extend their dominance beyond the IPL.
However, under his leadership, they have failed to secure a single title since winning the 2020 edition of the IPL, finishing outside the finals in each of the three subsequent events.
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya served Mumbai Indians as one of their leading all-rounders for years before ascending to captaincy for newcomers Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. Much like Rohit Sharma, Pandya also led the Titans to title glory in his first attempt, guiding them to another runners-up campaign the following year in 2023.
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