Sports Desk, 16th December: Mumbai Indians, a five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion, has chosen Hardik Pandya as their new captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma. Despite Pandya’s significant contributions to the team’s successes, the decision faced backlash from fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, resulting in a loss of 400,000 followers within an hour of the announcement.
Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance for Mumbai Indians, explained that the decision is part of building a legacy and ensuring the team’s future readiness. Pandya, who played a key role in four IPL victories with MI and one with the Titans, was Rohit Sharma’s deputy in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 but had to exit due to an ankle injury sustained while bowling against Bangladesh.
Having been named T20I captain for India following the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup in Australia, Pandya’s appointment as captain for Mumbai Indians raises questions about a potential permanent shift in leadership for the shortest format at the national level. The team’s decision reflects a strategic move towards succession planning and building for the future.
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