Hardik Pandya agreed to move to Mumbai Indians only if they make him CAPTAIN by removing Rohit Sharma from the role

When rumors started spreading about Pandya's transfer, some people pointed out why Pandya would go to MI if he wasn't made the skipper.

Hardik Pandya agreed to move to Mumbai Indians only if they make him CAPTAIN by removing Rohit Sharma from the role

Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma (Images via NDTV)

Hardik Pandya became the first title-winning captain to get traded to another franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The news was a shocking one given that he led Gujarat Titans (GT) to a trophy in 2022 and to another final in 2023.

When rumors started spreading about Pandya’s transfer, some people pointed out why Pandya would go to MI if he wasn’t made the skipper. On Friday (December 15), MI broke the news that the all-rounder will lead the Men in Blue in 2024.

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According to a report by the Indian Express, Pandya had laid down the condition of captaincy before MI, which they accepted. MI then communicated the same to Rohit Sharma before the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup and he was made to understand the need for a captaincy change in a series of meetings.

Wasim Jaffer is surprised MI moved from Rohit Sharma so quickly

Hardik Pandya has played an integral role in MI’s success in the IPL from 2015 to 2021, helping them lift four titles. MI did not retain him before the mega auction for IPL 2022 and, as a result, GT roped him in and made him the captain, and now the 30-year-old will don the dark blue jersey again.

Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma
Hardik Pandya (Image via NDTV)

Former India player Wasim Jaffer expressed his surprise at the new development. He said he was surprised that MI moved on from Rohit so quickly when, because, under him, the team lifted five trophies.

I'm surprised that MI has moved from Rohit Sharma so early. It happened so quickly, I'm also a little surprised. When they did the trade, it was probably communicated to Hardik that he was going to become the captain. But whether it was communicated to Rohit, I don't know.
Jaffer said while speaking on ESPNCricinfo

Pandya is currently battling an injury he picked up during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Rohit will make a return to international cricket for the two-match Test series against South Africa.

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