In the lead-up to IPL 2024, the trading window stirred up quite a buzz with surprising moves, and one big transfer caught everyone’s attention. Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya made a surprising return to his initial franchise, Mumbai Indians, in an all-cash deal. This exchange also involved trading Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The plot thickened when Hardik Pandya was not just coming back to Mumbai Indians but was also announced as the new captain, taking over from the current national team skipper, Rohit Sharma. This decision raised eyebrows and drew criticism from fans. Many felt that Rohit, a seasoned captain with five IPL titles, deserved better treatment. Some were displeased with the promotion of a player who had left Mumbai in 2022 under contentious circumstances, especially over other senior internationals like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
Kieron Pollard posted a cryptic Instagram Story
Adding fuel to the fire, Mumbai Indians legend and current batting coach Kieron Pollard posted a cryptic Instagram story on Saturday, January 6. The Trinidadian shared a quote that said, “Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden to everyone. That’s how loyalty ends when benefits stop.” This sparked rumours on social media, with many speculating whether the post referred to Rohit’s removal as the Mumbai Indians skipper.
The fanbase expressed their discontent, arguing that Rohit had earned the right to decide when to step down, given his impressive track record of leading Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. The controversy surrounding the captaincy change added an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming IPL season, with fans eagerly awaiting the on-field action and closely watching how the team dynamics unfold under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.
