Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar supports the move by Mumbai Indians (MI) to replace seasoned skipper Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as the captain from the coming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season onwards. Gavaskar believes that Rohit had become fatigued and was unable to contribute substantially with the bat in the past few seasons. Pandya was roped in MI from Gujarat Titans (GT) in an all-cash trade last month.
Rohit and Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni are the most successful captains in the IPL, guiding their teams to five titles each in the lucrative league. However, Mumbai Indians have gone without a title since 2021, finishing last in the 2022 edition. Gavaskar said that it could be because Rohit is "fatigued" since he has been playing continuously not only as IPL team skipper but also as the India captain.
MI was unenthusiastic lately: Gavaskar
"See, we don't have to look at it (decision appoint Hardik as MI captain) as right or wrong. The decision they (MI) have taken has been for the benefit of the team. We can say that the contribution of Rohit, even with the bat, has become slightly lesser," Gavaskar told Star Sports. "Earlier, there used to be a lot of contribution (with bat) from Rohit, but in the last few years, they have finished at number 9 or 10. And last year they qualified for the playoffs, but the 'josh' (enthusiasm) of Mumbai Indians was not there to be seen as we have seen in the past.
"Maybe because he has played cricket continuously he must have been fatigued, constantly captaining the Indian side and then Mumbai Indians," added Gavaskar. Hardik, after leading Gujarat Titans to title triumph in the team's inaugural year in 2022 also led his side to runners-up finish this year. The cricketer-turned-commentator felt Hardik has proved himself for the Gujarat franchise and his return to Mumbai Indians will infuse fresh ideas into the side.
Hardik brings in fresh thought process
"So, the decision that they have taken, he is a young player, young in terms of captaining a side, who has proven himself, taking Gujarat Titans to the finals twice and winning it once. "So with the same thought process, they have made him captain. Because sometimes you need that fresh thinking, and he can bring that fresh thinking and I think the decision that has been taken, Mumbai Indians can benefit from it and won't damage them," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
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