Hardik would be succeeding Rohit, who led MI to five IPL titles in his 10-year stint as skipper.
In December last year, Mumbai Indians (MI) appointed Hardik Pandya as their new captain. The all-rounder would be succeeding Rohit Sharma, who led MI to five IPL titles in his 10-year stint as skipper.
This move came soon after Hardik returned to MI, following a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans (GT), whom he led in the past two seasons.
Speaking to Star Sports, Manjrekar said Hardik carries a bit of swagger alongside him and the likes of Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav playing under him will be entertaining to watch.
"It's going to be tricky. Hardik Pandya is a guy who has got a bit of a swag. He will carry that into the Mumbai Indians dressing room as well. And it will be a bit uncomfortable (thoda uncomfortable hoga) because Rohit Sharma might have thought, he will get one more year as captain. Suryakumar Yadav might also have something similar in his mind, that he might have been able to lead Mumbai Indians this season. But Hardik Pandya won't let that affect him. It will be entertaining," Manjrekar stated.
Earlier, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel opined that Hardik Pandya will be under tremendous pressure while leading MI in the forthcoming IPL season but termed his appointment as captain "a well thought-out decision" by the franchise.
"There will be a lot of pressure on Hardik. It will be challenging; replacing a five-time title-winning captain and a team that is used to playing a certain way for 10 years. And, this change of guard will be challenging for Hardik and for the players who are so used to playing under Rohit Sharma," Parthiv said.
While the IPL 2024 season is slated to get underway on March 22 with the CSK versus RCB clash at Chepauk, MI will open their campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24 in Ahmedabad.