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Hardik Pandya (Source-Twitter)
It has been a tough 24 hours for the Mumbai Indians team and its fan base. Hardik Pandya will be leading the team during the upcoming IPL 2024 season. There are conflicting reports and reasons behind Rohit Sharma’s removal as the skipper of the team.
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Enraged cricket fans took to social media to vent their ire over the decision made. The franchise which boated of 13.2 followers on Instagram has now come down to 12.6 Million. The biggest drop any sports franchise has seen as the fans are showing their extreme displeasure at the decision.
Leading newspaper outlet The Indian Express has now come up with huge news regarding the entire Mumbai Indians situation. It is believed that there was a lot of backroom maneuvering before Hardik Pandya could make his return to MI.
Hardik Pandya’s pressure tactics pay off?
Mumbai Indians decision to name Hardik Pandya as the skipper of the side may not have gone down well with the fans. The franchise though had a secret compromise deal with the Indian all-rounder.
It has been reported by the Indian Express that Hardik Pandya had set a huge condition to the MI management. The 30-year-old had made it clear that he wanted the reins of the team if he was to make a comeback to the team.
This set action in motion from Mumbai Indians who had first approached Hardik Pandya with the proposal. Just before the ODI World Cup 2023 could take place, Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma had a chat.
The talk revolved around the next few years and where the team was headed. As per sources, it was during this meeting that Rohit Sharma was told about Pandya’s return to the team. It has also come to light that the 36-year-old was okay playing under Hardik Pandya for the coming season.
Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma then had a chat where the Pandya told the latter about the move. A week after the ODI World Cup 2023 ended, Mumbai Indians announced the return of Hardik Pandya to the franchise.
During his two year spell with Gujarat Titans, the team was molded carefully by Hardik Pandya. The Titans won the title in their debut season in 2022 beating Rajasthan Royals in the final. IPL 2023 saw Hardik Pandya and his team reach the finals before losing to CSK in front of their home crowd in Ahmedabad.