Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh shared his two cents on the recent issue of Rohit Sharma being removed as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of IPL 2024. Instead, the team management traded in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans and named him the new captain.
A huge controversy occurred as fans of MI franchises were agitated that Rohit Sharma, who captained the team to five IPL titles was removed from the helm unceremoniously.
Hardik Pandad captained Gujarat Titans the to IPL 2022 title and the final of IPL 2023. He was also captaining the Indian team in white-ball cricket, especially T20Is in 2023 as Rohit Sharma focused on ODI cricket in prep for ICC World Cup.
Yuvraj Singh was asked whether Rohit or Hardik Pandya should be named as the captain in the T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup winner said that it was the selectors’ call.
He said: "I don't know what's the situation with Hardik's fitness at the moment. That is the selectors' call."
Yuvraj also spoke on any potential ego clashes between Rohit and Hardik at MI in IPL 2024 and said: "When players play together these things happen. If they have an issue they should definitely sit and talk about it. Rohit has always been very instrumental in getting the best out of Hardik whenever he has played for Mumbai Indians, especially in terms of his bowling to manage his workload.
Hardik has always been always good with the bat at death. Batting at 4 for Gujarat, he batted like a batter. They should definitely talk about it. I don't see an issue there.”
Yuvraj also added that both players shouldn’t have any issues when they play for India, where Rohit Sharma will be the captain.
"Whenever you are playing for your country, your priority is to put everything aside and give your 100 percent in the park. They both are professionals, if they have any issue they will put it aside and give 100 percent for the country,” the former cricket said.
Rohit Sharma is currently leading the Indian team in Afghanistan T20Is and Hardik Pandya will make his return from an ankle injury in the IPL 2024.
(PTI inputs)
