- Hardik Pandya appointed new captain of Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2024, succeeding Rohit Sharma.
- Pandya returns to MI via a player trade with Gujarat Titans, marking a strategic move for the upcoming season.
- MI’s leadership shift aims to continue the team’s success, with Rohit Sharma’s invaluable guidance and experience retained.
As the IPL 2024 auction approaches, the Mumbai Indians (MI), gearing up for the 17th edition, have made a significant leadership change. Hardik Pandya has been announced as the new captain, taking over from the seasoned Rohit Sharma, who led the team to five IPL trophies.
Pandya makes a return to MI after two years via a player trade with Gujarat Titans. He led Gujarat to a title victory in 2022 and guided them to the 2023 final, narrowly losing to the Chennai Super Kings. The player trade involves MI paying INR 15 crore to Gujarat, along with an unrevealed transfer fee.
Pandya, initially bought by MI for INR 10 Lakh in the 2015 auction, played a crucial role in four title victories from 2015 to 2020. Released ahead of the 2022 mega auction, he was signed by Gujarat for INR 15 Crore.
The succession of Pandya as the MI captain is a strategic move, with the team aiming to continue its success under new leadership. Rohit’s tenure as captain, starting in 2013, saw MI winning their first IPL trophy against the Chennai Super Kings. Rohit continued to lead the team to dominance, securing five more IPL trophies within eight years.
In the 2023 season, Sharma, despite the absence of key players like Bumrah and Archer, led a young side to Qualifier 2. With Pandya and Bumrah returning for IPL 2024, MI is poised to build on its success and script the sixth glorious chapter in IPL history.
MI expresses gratitude to Rohit Sharma
Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance for MI, expressed gratitude to Rohit for his exceptional leadership. MI’s philosophy of being future-ready aligns with the move to make Pandya the captain, seen as a part of legacy building. Mumbai Indians, known for exceptional leadership from Sachin to Harbhajan, Ricky, and Rohit, focus not only on immediate success but also on strengthening the team for the future.
The announcement marks a new era for MI as they prepare for the challenges of IPL 2024, with best wishes extended to Hardik Pandya as the new captain. The former skipper’s guidance and experience on and off the field are expected to further strengthen the team in the upcoming season.
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