In a significant announcement, the Mumbai Indians revealed that Hardik Pandya will assume the captaincy role for the upcoming IPL 2024, marking the end of Rohit Sharma’s illustrious decade-long tenure as the team’s captain. Mumbai Indians, alongside Chennai Super Kings, stands as the most successful franchise in IPL history, boasting five titles each.
The franchise cited future planning as the reason behind the leadership change and expressed gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his exemplary service. The news sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many supporters expressing unwavering loyalty to Rohit Sharma, emphasizing his integral role in the team’s history. Some fans went as far as posting videos of unfollowing the official social media accounts of Mumbai Indians.
Mumbai Indians, in a touching tribute, shared an emotional video dedicated to Rohit Sharma, encapsulating the journey of his captaincy since 2013. Under Rohit’s leadership, the team reached five IPL finals, winning each one in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Supporters poured their hearts out in letters, acknowledging Rohit’s pivotal contribution in fostering a culture of optimism and fortitude within the team.
The Mumbai Indians’ official post encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “Ro, In 2013, you took over as captain of MI. You asked us to Believe. In victories & defeats, you asked us to Smile. 10 years & 6 trophies later, here we are. Our forever captain, your legacy will be etched in Blue and Gold. Thank you, Captain RO.”
As the cricketing world absorbs this significant shift in leadership, it marks the beginning of a new era for the Mumbai Indians under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, while Rohit Sharma’s legacy as the “forever captain” is celebrated and immortalized in the annals of the team’s history.