MI vs LSG: Strong wall forms between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya; all Indian players leave the captain alone
Published - 16 May 2024, 10:50 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:11 AM
In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Mumbai Indians camp has been divided into two groups Rohit Sharma and skipper Hardik Pandya.
This huge update has come just 24 hours before the Mumbai Indians play their final IPL 2024 league stage game against the Lucknow Super Giants. MI have already been knocked out of the tournament and tomorrow's match will give them a chance to spoil LSG's party at the points table. But the camp division news of Hardik Pandya's side is a huge setback in the closing days of the season.
Homegrown players take Rohit Sharma's side while foreigners take Hardik Pandya's
Reports from our trusted sources have suggested that there is a major indifference growing within the MI camp, which is certain to finish at the bottom half. As they struggled to win games consistently all season, the MI players instead of standing strong together as a unit, have been divided with half of the players parting with Rohit and others uniting for Hardik Pandya.
Most of the homegrown senior as well as junior players are reportedly wanting to see Rohit Sharma re-appointed as Mumbai's captain in IPL 2025. Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Akash Madhwal among others are a few notable names that are frustrated with the captaincy tactics of Hardik Pandya, whose decision to leave Gujarat Titans is proving to be very costly.
Reports were also surfacing about a possible rift between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya inside the dressing room. If those reports are anything but true, then it will be a major headache for the MI team management led by head coach Mark Boucher.
But as the Indian players take Rohit Sharma's side, the foreign recruits have sided with their captain Hardik Pandya. Although there aren't too many big foreign names those who are in the team, want to see Pandya continue as the leader. The likes of Tim David, Dewald Brevis, and Luke Wood among others have expressed their support towards the all-rounder.
Tim David had labeled Hardik Pandya as the glue that held the Mumbai Indians team together despite the off-season they had in IPL 2024. The Australian had also claimed that it was Pandya who told the players to operate freely and play with freedom at the closing stages of the league.
"Hardik was the glue that held us together and gave us a chance to play with freedom at the back end. Hardik has been phenomenal in the way he has been playing for the team." - David had told media reporters.
Local players even reluctant to practice with Pandya
The same source also stated that players like Surya and Tilak are the two names that are even reluctant to practice with Hardik Pandya by their side. During a net session for MI's previous game in Eden Gardens, both of the batters were seen leaving the nets as soon as Pandya arrived.
The case is the same with Rohit Sharma too as he has rarely practiced with Pandya this season. In such a case, the MI management will have to find a way to sort things out. It will also be a headache for the Indian team as Rohit and Pandya will be captain and vice-captain at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. What transpires next remains to be seen.