In a move that sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, Mumbai Indians dropped a bombshell by appointing Hardik Pandya as the captain for the upcoming IPL 2024 season, bringing an end to Rohit Sharma’s decade-long captaincy reign. The decision, made just four days before the mini-auction in Dubai, triggered a wave of disappointment among fans, translating into both verbal criticism on social media and dramatic displays of discontent.
Fans took to burning Mumbai Indians jerseys and caps, and these protest videos swiftly went viral, intensifying the backlash against the franchise. The passionate reactions weren’t confined to the streets; Mumbai Indians experienced a massive blow on social media platforms. With 8.6 million followers on X before the announcement, the number plummeted to 8.2 million within an hour. Meanwhile, their Instagram following dipped by almost five lakh, settling at 12.7 million.
Rohit Sharma, the stalwart captain since 2013, had been instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ remarkable journey, clinching five IPL titles. The surprising decision to pass the captaincy to Hardik Pandya was rationalized by Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance at Mumbai Indians, as part of the franchise’s commitment to legacy building and staying future-ready.
Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians comes after being released by the franchise in 2022. During his absence, he captained Gujarat Titans to a triumphant 2022 season and secured the runner-up position in 2023.
The sporting community is now abuzz with discussions and debates about this unexpected change in leadership, as fans eagerly await the unfolding of events in the IPL 2024 season.
