The Mumbai Indians have set the stage for the upcoming IPL 2024 season by appointing Hardik Pandya as their captain, marking a pivotal moment in the team’s leadership dynamics. Pandya’s return to the squad last month via trade has culminated in his elevation to the coveted role of captaincy, signifying his resurgence after being released ahead of the 2022 mega auction.

This strategic move has ignited discussions, primarily concerning the five-time trophy-winning captain Rohit Sharma and his recent T20 form, which has raised eyebrows within the cricketing fraternity. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

Despite Sharma’s established credentials as a solid batsman, concerns have emerged over his T20 contributions, prompting former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar to express apprehensions about the team’s batting lineup for the 2024 season.

Manjrekar, speaking on Hotstar, pinpointed Suryakumar Yadav as the lone dependable batter in the Mumbai Indians’ lineup, stating, “Ishan Kishan, from couple of seasons before MI paid the big bucks… he is in the same kind of form. Tim David is still trying to fill the shoes of Kieron Pollard. On form, one player that you can maybe depend on, the player who you can expect to come good, is Suryakumar Yadav.”

Expressing uncertainties about Sharma’s role in T20 cricket despite his promising performances in the recently concluded ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Manjrekar emphasized, “Rohit Sharma, for me, as a batter, is a question mark in T20 cricket. He has shown promise, the way he played in the fifty-over World Cups. But that’s a completely different format, when you know you have fifty overs. They bat in that fashion. Bowlers just bowl differently in 50 overs as well.”

Sharma’s absence from the Indian T20I squad since November 2022 has only intensified discussions surrounding his T20 form. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya’s assumption of the leadership role for the Indian team in the shortest format has added an additional layer of intrigue to Mumbai Indians’ decision-making regarding the captaincy.

As the spotlight now falls on Hardik Pandya, leading the Mumbai Indians into a new era, the seasoned presence of Rohit Sharma promises to offer guidance and support on the field, adding an element of anticipation and excitement to the upcoming IPL season. Get free cricket betting tips only on Nextbet Sports.