After days of debate, former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his views on Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians skipper for IPL 2024. He went on to say that the decision would have been taken only after the management thought that the team needed fresh thinking under a new captain. Moreover, the shift was a possibility ever since Pandya, after winning a title with Gujarat, made his way back to Mumbai.
Gavaskar said on Star Sports, that India captaincy and leadership in the last two IPL seasons seemed to have taken a bit of toll on him. “We shouldn’t go into rights and wrongs. But, the decision they have taken is for the benefit of the team. In the last two years, Rohit’s contribution, even with the bat, has dipped a little bit. Earlier, he used to score big, but in the last two years they finished No. 9 or No. 10 the year before last year and in the last year they qualified for the playoffs,” Gavaskar said.
“But we missed seeing the mojo in Rohit Sharma that we used to see in the previous few years. Maybe, he was a little tired because of playing continuous cricket, he was a little tired because of captaincy, leading India and the franchise,” he added.
“I feel that the decision, they have kept in mind that Hardik is a young captain who has produced results. Hardik has led Gujarat to the finals twice, and he led them to the title in 2022. I think they have made him captain by considering all this.”
Not just that, but Gavaskar said that Pandya would also bring a lot of success to Mumbai Indians. “At times, you need fresh thinking. Hardk brings in that fresh thinking. I think the decision will only benefit Mumbai Indians, it will not deter them,” he added.
