Hardik replaces Rohit as skipper of Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians announced that they had replaced their hugely successful captain Rohit Sharma - under whom they have won all five of their IPL trophies - with allrounder Hardik Pandya. MI’s move comes less than a month after the Mumbai franchise announced that Hardik had returned to their fold following a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans. Crucially, the move comes at a time when there is much speculation over who will lead Team India in the T20 World Cup in June in the West Indies and USA - Rohit or Hardik, who is currently out of action due to a left ankle injury.
In January this year, Hardik was named India’s T20 captain after he proved his leadership credentials in the IPL, having led the Gujarat Titans to the title in their maiden season. Under Hardik, GT also made the IPL final this season.
Interestingly, Rohit’s IPL form has declined substantially in recent years. In 2021, he scored 381 runs 13 matches @ 29.30, with just one fifty. In 2022, it was even worse with 268 runs in 14 matches @ 19.14, with no fifty. In 2023, he scored 332 runs in 16 games @ 20.75, with two fifties. Looking to attack from ball one, he has often lost his wicket to one aggressive shot too many. While it is expected that Rohit will now play under Pandya in MI, it will not be a surprise if he moves to another franchise later on.