Following Mumbai Indians’ surprising decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain for IPL 2024, reports emerged on December 16 that Delhi Capitals had approached MI for a potential trade involving Rohit Sharma.
As per CricTracker citing Sports Today, Delhi Capitals are in search of an experienced leader, considering their regular captain Rishabh Pant is slated to play as an Impact Player. However, MI reportedly rejected the offer, leaving Pant to lead the squad, which is making a comeback after a recent car accident.
In a strategic move last November, Mumbai Indians traded Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore, adding ₹17.50 crore to their purse. This financial maneuver facilitated the return of Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans to MI.
The announcement of Hardik Pandya as the new captain stirred a social media storm, with Mumbai Indians experiencing a rapid decline in followers, losing over 400k on X alone. Fans expressed their allegiance to Rohit Sharma, emphasizing the sentiment that there is no Mumbai Indian without him.
Under Rohit’s captaincy, Mumbai Indians reached five IPL finals, emerging victorious in each edition (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020). The unexpected shift in leadership has not only triggered trade speculations but has also resulted in a visible impact on the team’s social media presence, highlighting the emotional connection fans share with Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
