IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya Breaks Silence On Rapport With Rohit Sharma, Captaincy Change Row

Mumbai Indians skipper captain Hardik Pandya broke his silence on the captaincy change controversy that struck the franchise after Rohit Sharma was removed as the leader of the pack, making way for the returning all-rounder from Gujarat Titans. Guajrat, a franchise that Hardik had chosen to join two years ago, signed Hardik as a trade. Hardik expressed his confidence that there won’t be no awkwardness between him and Rohit at a press conference organised by Mumbai Indians Monday.

“It feels surreal to be back. Everything that I know since 2015 has been through this journey. On his comeback, Hardik expressed his excitement about playing at Wankhede, his preferred ground, as he never imagined he would reach here.

The all-rounder revealed he anticipates Rohit’s hand being on his shoulder at any given moment regarding the captaincy change.

“Rohit Sharma is Captain of Team India which helps me, what this team has achieved, was achieved under his leadership and I just carry forward. I played whole career underneath him and I am aware he’ll always have his hands on my shoulder,” he said.

Hardik also confirmed that he will be bowling for MI in this season, having previously resorted to being only a batter because of injury concerns.

Hardik expressed that despite the negative emotions of the captaincy change controversy, he prefers to focus on what he can control.

“I will be bowling. I respect the fans’ emotions but I can only control the controllable. He stated that while he regarded them, he would concentrate on what he could be doing as captain.

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
Hardik was asked if he had spoken to Rohit after the captaincy change, but he claimed that there has been no concrete interaction due to the Hitman’s travel schedule.

Rohit has been touring so I haven’t had much time to chat with him. He mentioned that he would catch up as he joined the team.