Mumbai Indians’ surprising decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain for the upcoming IPL 2024 season has sent shockwaves through their loyal fan base, resulting in the hashtag #ShameOnMI trending on X (formerly Twitter).
The abrupt departure of Rohit Sharma, who led the team for a decade, has left fans disillusioned and expressing their discontent on social media platforms.
The announcement prompted a flood of frustration from supporters questioning the reasoning behind the sudden change in leadership. The disappointment is palpable, ranging from disbelief to outright anger, as fans express their loyalty to Rohit Sharma, synonymous with Mumbai Indians’ success over the past decade.
Numerous tweets highlight the sentiment that Rohit Sharma deserved a more dignified exit as captain, given his significant contributions to the team’s five IPL titles. Some fans expressed skepticism about Hardik Pandya’s readiness for the captaincy role, labeling him as an ego-maniac.
#ShameOnMI Trends on X
The hashtag #ShameOnMI is trending on X, reflecting the widespread unhappiness among fans regarding how Mumbai Indians have treated arguably their greatest player ever.
Despite Rohit Sharma approaching 37 in April, fans believe he deserved to remain the captain of ‘his’ franchise for as long as he wished. The decision has not only hurt the fans but also appears to have affected the players.
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Why Hardik Pandya is Questionable as Captain?
The choice of Pandya as skipper caught many by surprise, as fans expected Suryakumar Yadav to be the future captain after Sharma’s departure.
Suryakumar Yadav has been a pivotal figure in the MI team since 2018, showcasing consistent growth and becoming their most dependable middle-order batsman. He was one of the players retained by MI before the mega auction in 2022.
Hardik Pandya has faced ongoing injury challenges throughout his career, with an ankle injury leading to his premature exit from the 2023 World Cup. Although expected to return for IPL 2024, he will miss a substantial part of international cricket.
As captain, Pandya would shoulder additional responsibilities, playing every game for his franchise and fulfilling bowling duties as an all-rounder. With the T20 World Cup 2024 following immediately after IPL 2024, India would ideally want a fully-fit Pandya for the crucial tournament.
While Hardik Pandya may not symbolize all Indian cricketers, the controversy serves as a wake-up call for the team and its management.
