As the IPL 2024 auction draws near, the cricketing world anticipates a dynamic season with all ten franchises gearing up for the 17th edition of the tournament. One of the most significant pre-auction developments comes from the Mumbai Indians (MI), a five-time champion, which recently announced a leadership change.
Hardik Pandya, known for his explosive all-round abilities, has been appointed as the new captain of the Mumbai Indians, replacing the seasoned Rohit Sharma. This leadership transition marks a noteworthy move as Pandya returns to MI after a two-year stint with the Gujarat Titans. The franchise secured Pandya’s services through a player trade, paying Gujarat INR 15 crore along with an undisclosed transfer fee.
Pandya, who initially joined MI for a modest sum of INR 10 Lakh in the 2015 auction, played a pivotal role in the team’s four title victories from 2015 to 2020. Released ahead of the 2022 mega auction, Pandya fetched INR 15 Crore from Gujarat Titans.
Rohit Sharma, the captain under whose leadership MI secured six IPL trophies, led the team to unparalleled success since 2013. Despite missing key players like Bumrah and Archer, Rohit guided a young MI side to Qualifier 2 in the 2023 season. With Pandya and Bumrah returning for IPL 2024, MI aim to continue its legacy of success.
Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance for MI, expressed gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership. The move to appoint Pandya as captain is seen as part of MI’s philosophy of being future-ready while continuing the legacy of exceptional leaders like Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Ricky Ponting, and Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma’s contributions to MI, including the historic win in 2013, have solidified his place as one of the finest captains in IPL history. MI looks forward to Rohit’s continued guidance and experience on and off the field.
The announcement of Hardik Pandya as the new captain signifies a new era for MI, and best wishes are extended to him as the team prepares for the challenges of IPL 2024. The Mumbai Indians, with a rich history of exceptional leadership, are poised for another thrilling chapter in the upcoming season.
“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,” said Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance, Mumbai Indians in a statement.
“We express our gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership; his tenure as the captain of the Mumbai Indians since 2013 has been nothing short of extraordinary. His leadership has not only brought unparalleled success to the team but has also solidified his place as one of the finest captains in the history of the IPL. Under his guidance, MI became one of the most successful and loved teams ever. We will look forward to his guidance and experience on and off the field to further strengthen MI. We welcome Hardik Pandya as the new captain of MI and wish him all the very best,” he added.
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IPL 2024 auction full list of registered players
