In IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians became the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race. Initially, this didn’t come as a shock to many as we’ve seen the five-time champions lose their spark this season.
Fans speculate that the sudden change of captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya was the reason for the team’s misfortune. Several fans also claimed that there could be some kind of “bullfight” between the two Indian players.
MI will face Kolkata Knight Riders today at the majestic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. KKR is at the top of the points table, while MI remains at 9th place, followed only by Punjab Kings.
Pandya-Rohit What is ‘beef’?
Ever since the start of the IPL 2024 season, fans have been speculating about Rohit Sharma’s abuse in the MI franchise. Moreover, new captain Hardik Pandya, who replaced Sharma, has been criticized for being ‘sly’ in the matter.
There were more instances as the season progressed, such as when Pandya misbehaved slightly with Rohit on the field, when Rohit ignored and avoided Hardik’s hug, when Lasith Malinga left the dugout when Pandya arrived, and so on.
Moments like these have led fans to keep Pandya in a negative light and build a perception that pits Rohit and Hardik against each other. The biggest reason was the sudden change in argument.
Rohit Sharma, who led MI to five wins in the IPL, also took over the captaincy, replacing Ricky Ponting. It was even more sudden because it happened in the middle of the IPL season. So it is the fault of MI management for not treating the captain loyally.
Michael Clarke talks about the conflict.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Hardik and Rohit’s relationship is not as serious as the public thinks.
Clarke’s belief stems from Hardik’s inclusion in India’s T20I World Cup squad, with the World Cup-winning captain highlighting Rohit’s power and influence in team selection. The selection committee had Ajit Agarkar as its chairman.
While Clarke agrees that all is not well between the two Indian superstars, Rohit would not have chosen Hardik if the dispute had gotten out of control.
“You know what… Knowing Rohit Sharma, he will have his arm around Hardik Pandya. That shows Rohit’s character. He is India’s captain and trust me. He wants to win the World Cup. He said a lot about being in the top 15 selected by India.” Clarke said on the Around the Wicket podcast.
Michael also said: “It’s very different from the Australian 15s. They focus on spin bowling. If the conflict between Rohit and Hardik was as strong as people think, Hardik would not have been part of the World Cup campaign. The Indian captain has that much power.”
Clarke was one of the first players to suggest a rift between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. He also had the idea that the MI players would pick a side and the team would be split into two parts, with one supporting Rohit and the other supporting Hardik.
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