IPL 2024 Exclusive : On Hardik Pandya Replacing Rohit Sharma As Mumbai Indians Captain, Harsha Bhogle’s ‘Open Secret’ Verdict
Harsha Bhogle is of the opinion that it was a widely known fact that Hardik Pandya would take over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma for the Mumbai Indians. The decision was officially announced by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise ahead of the 2024 season, following Hardik’s remarkable move from Gujarat Titans. Bhogle expressed his thoughts on social media, stating that although it’s a progressive step for the team, Hardik will face a formidable challenge in meeting the ambitious expectations of the side.
“The fact that Hardik Pandya would captain @mipaltan was no secret. Rohit Sharma, along with MS Dhoni, is arguably the finest leader in the #IPL. Giving him some time to relax and have fun might not be a bad idea because the IPL demands a lot, and he will have led India in 5 tests just before that. While this decision is made with the next few years in mind, it presents a significant challenge for Hardik given the star-studded team and the franchise’s aspirations. It positions #MumbaiIndians as the team to watch this year,” he shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).
In November of the current year, Pandya made the switch from Gujarat Titans (GT) back to his former franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI), through a trade between the two teams.
The all-rounder had two impactful years with GT, leading their campaign effectively. In GT’s inaugural season in 2022, Hardik played a pivotal role in their triumph, with the team securing the coveted trophy. In their second season, they finished as runners-up after a thrilling final earlier this year.
As the new captain of MI, Pandya faces the daunting task of filling the shoes of Rohit, who led the franchise to five IPL title victories. In 31 matches for GT from 2022-23, Pandya accumulated 833 runs at an average of 37.86 and a strike rate of over 133. He also contributed with the ball, taking 11 wickets for the team.
Having played 92 matches for MI from 2015-2021, Pandya scored 1,476 runs at an average of 27.33 and a strike rate of over 153. He also took 42 wickets for the team. Pandya boasts an impressive record of winning five IPL trophies, four with MI (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and one with GT (2022).
