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According to a report from News24, former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma is unhappy with the leadership decisions made by Hardik Pandya, who took over the reins for IPL 2024. This alleged discontent, coupled with MIs’ poor start (losing all three matches), suggests Rohit might be leaving the franchise after the ongoing edition.
Fan unrest and captaincy concerns
Rohit, who joined MI in 2011 and led them to a record five IPL titles, was replaced as captain after the 2024 player’s auction. This decision sparked fan backlash, with Hardik being booed in every match so far. The recent home defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) further intensified the criticism.
Some fans were excited about Hardik’s return via trade, but many felt the captaincy change could have been handled better. Comparisons were drawn to how Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) transitioned Virat Kohli out of the captaincy role and Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) approach with passing on the leadership from legendary MS Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Removing Rohit, especially without clear communication, was always likely to cause friction.
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Reports of dressing room discord
The report claims Rohit is not only unhappy with Hardik’s leadership but also involved in disagreements regarding team decisions. This has allegedly created a tense atmosphere within the dressing room.
News of Rohit’s potential departure adds fuel to speculation that other key players, like Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav, might also leave due to their reported unhappiness with the captaincy change.
MI’s options: Rethink or rebuild?
The franchise now faces a crucial decision. Reinstating Rohit as captain for the remaining season could potentially mend the situation. However, this might be a temporary fix if the reports of rift are true.
Alternatively, MI could choose to embrace a full rebuild, potentially heading into the IPL 2025 mega-auction with a new core.
Only time will tell how the MI navigate this turbulent period, but the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their path forward.
