IPL 2024

Sanjay Manjrekar throws weight behind Hardik Pandya, urges fans to not get sentimental

The Mumbai Indians recently ushered in a new era by naming Hardik Pandya as their next captain. Having recently joined the Gujarat Titans, Pandya swiftly steps into the leadership role, marking a bold move for the future. Mumbai Indians’ Global Head of Performance, Mahela Jayawardena, emphasized that Pandya’s appointment embodies the team’s proactive vision.

“It is part of legacy building and staying true to the MI philosophy of being future-ready. Mumbai Indians have always been blessed with exceptional leadership right from Sachin to Harbhajan and Ricky to Rohit, who while contributing to the immediate success have always had an eye on strengthening the team for the future. It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season,” he said.

While the news of Hardik Pandya’s captaincy stirred excitement within the Mumbai Indians, a mixed reaction emerged on social media. Some fans expressed disappointment, advocating for Rohit Sharma’s continued leadership. The sentiment stemmed from Hardik’s recent departure from MI, coupled with the presence of seasoned veterans like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, perceived by some as potential alternative captains.

“We should not be thinking emotionally” – Sanjay Manjrekar

Offering a counterpoint to the online murmurings, former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar urged fans to embrace the transition, emphasizing Hardik Pandya’s established leadership credentials. “We should not be thinking sentimentally or emotionally about Rohit Sharma. It is a good move by Mumbai Indians because Hardik Pandya is a proven leader and player. He is your in-form T20 captain and player and Rohit Sharma has been around for a long time,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.

While endorsing the captaincy choice, Manjrekar voiced a touch of concern as Pandya could be under severe pressure following the reactions of the fans. “I just hope that Hardik Pandya does not feel the pressure due to the way this has happened,” Manjrekar added. It remains to be seen if the composed Pandya flourishes under pressure or if the move will backfire on the five-time champions.