WATCH: Mumbai Indians FORCE journalist to skip question on Hardik Pandya’s ‘captaincy clause’ 

Many reports claimed Hardik Pandya was ready to join Mumbai Indians only if he was made captain.

WATCH: Mumbai Indians FORCE journalist to skip question on Hardik Pandya’s ‘captaincy clause’ 

Hardik Pandya and Mark Boucher (Image via ESPN)

Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians for the 2024 IPL. MI decided to pay Gujarat Titans ₹15 Crore and an undisclosed fee for services of the all-rounder. While many believed Pandya was ready to give up captaincy, the franchise had a different plan. 

They announced that Hardik Pandya was their new captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. Few days later, a reports revealed that Pandya was ready to return to MI only if he was made the team’s captain. While many are not sure if this is true or not, it didn’t change the fact that he was now MI’s new captain in over 10 years. 

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Recently, Pandya held his first press-conference as captain during an event. He was joined by head coach, Mark Boucher, and the two discussed the plan for the season and much more. One journalist tried asking about the “captaincy clause“. 

He was interrupted by a member of MI’s media team, who claimed the team had already released a statement regarding the report. Both Pandya and Boucher also did not reply, keeping quiet. 

Suryakumar Yadav to miss opening stage of IPL 

India and Mumbai Indians star batter, Suryakumar Yadav, is set to miss the opening stages of the 2024 Indian Premier League. He had injured his ankle during India’s tour of South Africa and underwent surgery for it. Mark Bourcher revealed that MI did not know when the local lad would return, waiting for BCCI’s approval for him to play. 

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (Image via ESPN)
We are awaiting updates on Suryakumar from the BCCI. We have always been under a cloud of fitness issues but we have a world-class medical team. We may lose one or two in terms of fitness but we have to move on as is sport. 
Mark Bourchers said

MI’s first match of the season will come against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The match will be played on 24th March. 

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