The Indian contingent of MI is reportedly staunchly backing Rohit Sharma, while the overseas players have thrown their support behind current captain Hardik Pandya
Mumbai Indians‘ anticipated season of resurgence has spiraled into a calamity. With just one match remaining, their playoff aspirations have evaporated. Now, their sole objective is to evade a bottom-of-the-table finish as they prepare to clash with Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. While victory over LSG is crucial, their fate also hinges on Punjab Kings’ final match outcome. Yet, amidst these challenges, MI confront larger concerns beyond mere match strategies or rival outcomes.
The growing dissension between former captain Rohit Sharma and the incumbent leader Hardik Pandya has led to a divisive atmosphere within the MI dressing room. The decision to recall Hardik from Gujarat Titans and elevate him to captaincy at the season’s onset, displacing Rohit—MI’s most decorated captain with five IPL titles—has already incurred the wrath of fans.
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“MI’s Dressing Room Division: Clash Over Captaincy Emerges Between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya”
Recent reports have unveiled a stark schism between Rohit and Hardik within MI. According to a Dainik Jagran report, the Indian players are advocating for Rohit’s return as captain, while overseas players have aligned themselves with Hardik. Notably, MI lacks prominent overseas recruits in their roster.
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers highlighted a crucial aspect of Hardik’s captaincy, noting that his assertive “chest-out” style may resonate better with younger or less experienced players but could encounter challenges with established figures like Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.However, Hardik seems to have a strong rapport with the overseas contingent of MI. Tim David praised Hardik as the “glue” of the team, emphasizing his pivotal role in fostering team unity and providing the freedom for players to excel. “Hardik was the glue that held us together and gave us a chance to play with freedom at the back end,” remarked the Australian, highlighting Hardik’s exceptional contributions to the team dynamic.
“MI’s Captaincy Divide: Rohit and Hardik’s Divergent Practices Reflect Fractured Dynamics”
The report further revealed that Rohit and Hardik have rarely been seen practicing together during this IPL season. In a notable incident, the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma reportedly departed the training area upon spotting Hardik approaching the nets on the eve of the match against KKR.
Concerns loom over the form of both Hardik and Rohit. Hardik has endured one of his poorest seasons with the bat, while Rohit has experienced a significant decline in form during the latter half of the tournament.Should the strained relationship between Hardik and Rohit persist, radical transformations within the MI setup should come as no shock, particularly with the impending mega auctions slated for next year.
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