In preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya and former captain Rohit Sharma shared a warm embrace during a practice session, marking Pandya’s transition to captaincy for the 2024 season. This heartfelt moment between the two cricketing stars quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of memes on social media platforms.
Pandya’s return to MI from Gujarat Titans (GT) last November, following a trade between the franchises, added significance to the encounter. During his stint with GT, Pandya played a pivotal role, leading the team with distinction, notably securing the IPL trophy in their debut season in 2022.
Here is how fans reacted:
𝟰𝟱 🫂 𝟯𝟯#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians | @hardikpandya7 @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/eyKSq7WwCV
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 20, 2024
If Hardik Pandya would have forcefully Hugged Rohit Sharma off camera, this would have happened. #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/EDLCPywoQw
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) March 20, 2024
There are 15-20 players and suddenly out of nowhere Hardik Pandya had to come and hug Rohit Sharma itself shows that things aren't comfortable between them. pic.twitter.com/hM3dUbCVNN
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) March 20, 2024
No one can match this level of craze. Rohit Sharma is bigger than the game.
— 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝕏 (@ImHydro45) March 18, 2024
RIP HARDIK PANDYA pic.twitter.com/gEElmzBEtI
Rohit Sharma has a very big heart, he hugged Hardik Pandya despite everything he had said. Mumbai Indians should have kept Rohit as captain. He's a legend 🇮🇳♥️♥️#IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/qpPoWEXSuL
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 20, 2024
This entry of GOAT Rohit Sharma is bigger than Hardik Pandya's entire career.
— 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝕏 (@ImHydro45) March 18, 2024
RIP HARDIK PANDYA pic.twitter.com/s5Oj1Z7lUe
However, the change in captaincy stirred controversy among fans, with some expressing disappointment over Sharma’s removal despite his past successes. Speculation further intensified when Pandya remained tight-lipped during a press conference regarding a rumoured “captaincy clause” in his contract, and head coach Mark Boucher refrained from elaborating on the decision to replace Sharma.
Nonetheless, Boucher had previously suggested that relieving Sharma of captaincy duties aimed to alleviate pressure on him, allowing him to focus more on his batting performance after a series of underwhelming IPL seasons.
Reflecting on Pandya’s impressive statistics, his contributions to both GT and MI are undeniable. During his tenure with GT, Pandya amassed 833 runs in 31 matches, showcasing an average of 37.86 and a commendable strike rate exceeding 133. He also proved his prowess with the ball, claiming 11 wickets for the team. His earlier stint with MI from 2015 to 2021 saw him accumulate 1,476 runs in 92 matches, coupled with 42 wickets. Pandya’s remarkable track record includes five IPL trophies, four with MI and one with GT.
As the 17th IPL season commences, excitement mounts with Chennai Super Kings facing off against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. However, anticipation is particularly high for the clash between last year’s runners-up, Gujarat Titans, and the formidable Mumbai Indians, scheduled for March 24 in Ahmedabad. This fixture gains extra attention due to Pandya’s return to MI, following his successful tenure with GT, and Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy of GT.
The composition of the MI IPL 2024 squad showcases a blend of experience and emerging talent, with notable players including Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, and emerging stars like Tilak Verma and Arjun Tendulkar. With Pandya leading the team and a formidable roster at their disposal, MI remains a strong contender for IPL glory.
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