Reasons why Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain

Mumbai Indians have recently replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of the team before the IPL 2024 player auction. Hardik Pandya, who was traded in by the five-time winners, has replaced Sharma for the job. The former started leading the team in 2013 and won their maiden IPL title in the same year. Before this, they had won the now-defunct Champions League in 2011 under Harbhajan Singh.

Meanwhile, from 2013 to 2020, the team won five titles, defending one of them three years back. In the last three years, the team has played in playoffs only once, early this year. In the seasons 2021 and 2022, the team finished fifth and last respectively. Also, the India skipper has yet to play a T20I game since the team’s 10-wicket loss against England in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinalists.

Also, the right-hander is yet to play a white-ball game after the ODI World Cup 2023. Apart from this, he is yet to decide on his T20I future. With him not having played the shortest format of the game and may not playing in the T20 World Cup 2024, Sharma might not have the same hunger as a player and a captain in the cash-rich league.

Apart from this, Pandya is pipped as the next India skipper in the shortest format of the game, and with age on his side, he can lead the team for a longer run. On the other hand, Sharma is 36 years old which is why he might not be the best option going forward.