In a major development, Mumbai Indians have appointed returning Hardik Pandya as their captain for IPL 2024, taking over from Rohit Sharma after 10 years as skipper. Hardik, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL crown in 2022, was reassigned to MI after two years last month and is set to take on a new role, succeeding the most successful captain in the history of the Indian Premier League. Rohit, along with MS Dhoni, has won the most in his tournament – five – but what Sharma stands out is that he got it in 10 years compared to MSD’s 12.
“It’s part of building a legacy and staying true to MI’s philosophy of planning for the future. Mumbai Indians have been blessed with exceptional leadership from Sachin to Harbhajan and Ricky to Rohit, who while contributing to their success has always had good leadership. An eye to strengthen the team. In the future. It is in line with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya takes over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season,” said Mahela Jayawardene.
The former Sri Lankan captain’s announcement ends all speculations about Hardik’s role in the game. After leading GT to the IPL title last year and then to the finals of IPL 2023, Hardik, is expected to stake a major role. But the growth has been addressed. Having already taken over from Rohit as India’s T20I captain – albeit unofficially – Hardik will now lead MI into a new era, hoping for bigger and better things. Between 2013 and 2020, MI, under Rohit won five titles – but with disappointing results in 2022 and 2023, a change of defense was imminent.
Rohit’s contribution and Hardik’s return
Rohit took over as MI captain from Ricky Ponting in the middle of IPL 2013, and led the team to its first title when they defeated Chennai Super Kings in the final. Rohit is the fourth highest run-getter in IPL history with 6211 runs, of which 3986 came as captain – spanning 157 innings at 129.37 SR and 25 fifties. Rohit’s tally is the third highest among IPL captains after Kohli’s 4994 runs and Dhoni’s 4660. His successor, Hardik, started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2015 and scored 1476 runs for the franchise and took 42 wickets. Signed as a non-player for INR 10 lakh, Pandya became an integral part of the team and was part of MI’s winning sides in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Also Read: How Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians after Gujarat Titans retained Rohit’s second in IPL 2024.
Meanwhile (24 April 2013, when Ponting stepped down as MI captain) in 2013 and 2023, Rohit led Mumbai to 87 wins in 158 IPL matches, the most by any captain during his time. Dhoni stands second with 82 wins. He also has the most wins as a captain in IPL playoff matches (including the final), with 10 wins in 13 such matches, one more than Dhoni (9 out of 15). MI have not lost an IPL final under Rohit in five of their 13 years in the premier league.
“We congratulate Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership; his tenure as the captain of Mumbai Indians since 2013 has been nothing short of remarkable. His leadership has not only brought unprecedented success to the team but has also cemented his place as one of the best captains in the history of the IPL,” added Jayawardene.
Rohit’s role with the franchise becomes more important. At the age of 36, Rohit’s participation in T20s, both for MI and India, has come under the scanner. In fact, the last season, when MI finished fifth and failed to qualify for the Playoffs, was Rohit’s worst with 268 runs from 14 matches at an average of 19.14. The next season – IPL 2023 – was well overshadowed by 332 runs from 16 innings but here is a shocking trivia: Rohit has gone without a single half-century in the last two editions of the IPL, which raises questions about his effectiveness as a force in T20 cricket.
“MI has become one of the most successful and beloved teams. We look forward to his guidance and experience on and off the field to strengthen MI. We welcome Hardik Pandya as the new captain of MI and wish him all the best,” Jayawardene was quoted as saying in the parting words of MI’s initial release.
