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The former Indian cricketer, Manoj Tiwary, has stated that Rohit Sharma could be given back the captaincy of Mumbai Indians from Hardik Pandya after three straight losses for the team in the early stages of the IPL 2024. The 38-year-old pointed out that the constant boos for Hardik Pandya have put him under pressure in terms of not making smart decisions in the leadership role, which is why the captaincy transfer to Rohit Sharma is definitely on the cards.
Hardik Pandya has been on the receiving end of criticism from fans online and inside the stadium, ever since Mumbai Indians appointed him as the new captain of the team, replacing the five-time IPL winner Rohit Sharma. Even though the 30-year-old led Gujarat Titans to two straight finals in the IPL in the last two years, winning the trophy in 2022, most of the Mumbai Indians fans are not buying into what he brings to the table.
Rohit could be given back the captaincy from Hardik: Tiwary
While speaking on a Cricbuzz show, Manoj Tiwary alluded to the chorus of boos for the Mumbai Indians captain, and said, “It's a clue that Hardik is under pressure. If he is not bowling having bowled in the first 2 games, and in conditions where there was swing on offer in both first and second innings, I think he felt the pressure with the kind of reception he received. I want to say something big. I have this feeling that during this break, Rohit Sharma could be given back the captaincy from Hardik Pandya.”
Manoj Tiwary also spoke about the inclination of the franchise owners not to hesitate to take big decisions, which they think would serve well either in the short or long term. He remarked, “It can happen. It's a big call because whatever little I understand these franchises and owners, they don't hesitate in taking calls. They had started it when they took the captaincy from Rohit and gave it to Hardik. Now it's pretty big when you change a captain who has won you five titles. And now that they haven't won a single game and the captaincy also looks jaded. Mistakes are happening.”
Mumbai Indians are currently sitting at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table, with three defeats in three matches, and the pressure is starting to mount both on and off the field.
