IPL 2024: RIP Hardik Pandya Trends As Rohit Sharma Fans Show Anger Towards Mumbai Indians & Their New Skipper

Add as a preferred source on Google

Mumbai Indians had faced backlash from some section of the fan base following the announcement of Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as the captain of the side ahead of IPL 2024.

Hardik, who announced his arrival to the world of cricket through MI, returned to the franchise after successfully leading Gujarat Titans for two season. The star all-rounder was brought in by MI as a cash-oly trade ahead of the auction.

Once Hardik's trade became official, there were reports that he has been brought in to lead the side. So, fans were disgruntled with the news right from the confirmation of his return to the side.

In fact even Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah took to social media to show their dismay over the decision made by the franchise, leading to cloud over the team morale ahead of the new season.

Now, after the first press meet with the skipper and head coach Mark Boucher, the franchise have been called out for their betrayal of their most successful skipper Rohit, who guided the team to a record five titles.

In a press conference organised by MI on Monday (March 18), Hardik spoke on the rapport between him and Rohit, adding that the Indian skipper will have his arm over Pandya's shoulder during the captaincy stint.

"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 under him and I know he will always have his hand on my shoulder," Hardik had said in the press conference.

However, some section of the fan base, particularly staunch Rohit fans showed their anger on the removal of the five-time winning skipper from his role, leading to "RIP Hardik Pandya" trending on social media. Here is some of the reaction:

"Rohit Sharma is bigger than Franchise. He taught them how to win the tournaments. BETRAYAL IS REAL. RIP HARDIK PANDYA," posted some fans on X, while some posted Hardik will never be Rohit.

Hardik is set for his first MI captaincy role against his former side Gujarat Titans. Mumbai Indians will face GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 24).