MI should have retained Rohit Sharma as captain in IPL 2024: Ambati Rayudu

Former Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu has said that it was a mistake from Mumbai Indians to hand the captaincy over to Hardik Pandya in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League.

Hardik Pandya made his return to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024, having spent two seasons in Gujarat Titans. Pandya had moved away after 2022 to assume the captain’s position at the Ahmedabad-based franchise. Pandya won the IPL title with Gujarat in the first year of his captaincy and then reached the final in his second season.

Pandya shocked many when he returned to Mumbai Indians for the 2024 season and that too as the captain of the side. In an official statement, Mumbai had announced the news stating that they were starting the process of transition in their side.

Speaking on the development, recently retired from all forms of cricket - Ambati Rayudu said that Rohit should have captained the side for the 2024 season of the tournament. In an interview with News24, Rayudu said that it would be difficult for Hardik Pandya to captain the MI side on his return as it is a tough job.

“Rohit Sharma should have continued for one more year. Hardik could have played for a year and then assumed the captaincy position in the Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma is still the T20I captain for India. It will be a difficult season for Hardik as he is coming from the Gujarat Titans set up. It is difficult to captain Mumbai Indians. They have won many titles so the pressure is high. It is not easy to handle all the star players together,” Rayudu said in the interview.

The Mumbai Indians were forced to trade one of their most promising players in Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore to free up cash for Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder is also injured at the moment and recently returned to make his first professional appearance in the DY Patil T20 Trophy after a long hiatus from the game.

Pandya had been injured in November while playing for India in the ODI World Cup 2023. He had slipped on his bowling mark against Bangladesh resulting in him being ruled out of the entire tournament. Pandya subsequently was ruled out of the white ball series against South Africa and Afghanistan. The all-rounder was back in action in the DY Patil trophy and is expected to be in full fitness in the Indian Premier League, set to start on March 22.