How is Mumbai Indians' dressing room environment after Hardik Pandya's arrival? Tilak Varma's colossal revelation

Young Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Tilak Varma made interesting remarks on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Tilak Varma highlighted that Mumbai Indians are enjoying themselves under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.

The Mumbai Indians will witness a new era led by Hardik Pandya during the IPL 2024. The dynamic all-rounder, returning to where his IPL journey commenced, assumes the captaincy following a significant trade with the Gujarat Titans before last year’s mini-auction.

However, the newly appointed skipper received backlash on social media after his appointment was announced. Pandya replaced one of the most successful IPL skippers, Rohit Sharma, who had led the Mumbai team to five titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

We Are Enjoying A Lot Under Hardik Pandya – Tilak Varma

Ahead of their first match in the ongoing IPL season, Tilak Varma expressed the Mumbai Indians’ satisfaction under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. Verma emphasized their familiarity with Pandya’s leadership, having previously played under him in T20 matches.

“Everything is going well. We are just looking forward. It’s the same thing going on. It’s not anything new because I already played under him in T20. I already debuted under him when I debuted for India. Hardik Bhai is a captain.

Rohit Bhai is always there for Hardik Bhai and also for the team. We are enjoying a lot under Hardik Bhai. As a team, we are enjoying because we have gelled together as a team, we have gone to good sessions, but as a team, we are together,” Tilak said.

Tilak Varma debuted for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2022 season. The left-handed batter amassed 397 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.09 and a decent strike rate of 131.02, including two half-centuries, with his highest score being 61 in his debut season.

During the previous season, Tilak scored 343 runs across 11 matches at an impressive average of 42.87 and a strike rate of over 164. He also made his T20I debut last year. He has scored 336 runs in 15 matches with an average of 33.60 and a strike rate of 139.41.

Last Year Was A Good Season – Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma aims to assume greater responsibility and play mature innings, having gained experience playing for India. He emphasized the importance of finishing games and hopes to apply the lessons learned to enhance his batting.

“Yes, obviously, I am looking forward to it. Last year was a good season, but now, as a senior player and having played for India, I have a slightly bigger responsibility to play mature innings. As I have said previously, I always want to finish games, and I have good knowledge and experience of it when playing for India, so I am looking forward to using it now,” Tilak said.

“Last season, I played a few games with an aggressive approach. I would have good starts but would get out early. But in the next few games, I would end with scores of 30s and 40s. I was close to finishing the games. So those things (when playing for India) would be a bit different as my strike rate would be initially low, but I would pick it up later as games progressed. I hope to use this learning in my batting for IPL 2024,” he added.

The Mumbai Indians will face the Gujarat Titans (GT) in their first match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, at 7:30 PM on Sunday, March 24.

MI Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Romario Shepherd, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Nuwan Thushara

Also read: Mike Hesson reveals Tilak Varma was on RCB’s radar; regrets not pushing for batter in IPL auction