In a surprising move, Mumbai Indians have replaced veteran cricketer Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. However, this decision has sparked speculations about Rohit Sharma’s role as the captain of the Indian cricket team in the T20I World Cup scheduled to be held in the United States and West Indies.
According to a BCCI official, the franchise’s decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain will not impact Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the national team. The official clarified that Rohit remains the captain in all three formats, and there has been no removal in any format.
The move comes after Mumbai Indians allowed teams to retain three Indian players and one foreign player. If this rule persists in 2025, Mumbai would retain Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, potentially making the upcoming IPL season Rohit Sharma’s last with the team.
Despite Rohit Sharma’s recent struggles in captaincy and batting form, the decision to replace him was influenced by Hardik Pandya’s success as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the first season. Talks of a possible trade between Mumbai and Gujarat involving Hardik Pandya were ongoing but concluded successfully at the last moment.
As the cricketing community awaits Rohit Sharma’s response to this decision, concerns arise about the atmosphere in the Mumbai Indians’ dressing room. Meanwhile, sources reveal that Rohit Sharma had expressed his desire to lead the Indian team in the T20 World Cup during a recent meeting with BCCI officials, leading to a verbal agreement.
The situation remains dynamic, and all eyes are on Rohit Sharma’s next move as the Mumbai Indians prepare for a new era under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya.