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Hardik Pandya has been in the limelight for different reasons in the last 9 months or so. He was the talk of the town when Mumbai Indians (MI) reacquired him last year and made him the captain of the team instead of Rohit Sharma. He faced a lot of backlash from the MI fans as they were not happy with the franchise’s decision to make Hardik Pandya captain at the expense of their five-time champion skipper Rohit Sharma.
Now, some reports suggest Mumbai Indians might release Hardik Pandya before IPL 2025 and make Suryakumar Yadav a new captain. Although they might be one of the IPL 2025 rumors, it has some sense and the fans wanted Hardik to be removed from the captaincy role or even from the team. Today, we will talk about this in detail. So let’s start.
REPORTS: Mumbai Indians to release Hardik Pandya before IPL 2025
There are a few reports which suggest that Mumbai Indians franchise might release Hardik Pandya before the IPL 2025. There are a few reasons that didn’t go in Hardik’s favor. That’s why there is a possibility of him reportedly parting ways with the MI franchise. Let’s see why Hardik Pandya might part ways with Mumbai Indians.
Reasons why Mumbai Indians might release Hardik Pandya before IPL 2025
1. Facing criticism from the Mumbai Indians (MI) fans
When MI reacquired Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans (GT) in an all-cash deal, the fans were happy to see him back in the blue colors, where he started his IPL career. But, when the franchise decided to give him the role of captaincy instead of their successful captain, Rohit Sharma, the fans’ anger burst out on social media. They didn’t like this captaincy switch move by Mumbai Indians.
The fans also came in numbers in the stadiums to disown Hardik Pandya. They even seek the removal of Hardik Pandya from the team. Things went from bad to worse when we heard a rift between Hardik and Rohit inside the dressing room. We also heard some of the young players are not comfortable with Hardik in a leadership role.
2. MI didn’t do well in IPL 2024
After MI finished last in IPL 2024 points table, things went from bad to worse and we could see the reactions of the fans on social media. Some fans even unfollowed MI when they made Hardik the captain of the side.
3. Hardik’s ambitions to captain India over now
To add a rub on the salt, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) decided to give the Indian cricket team’s T20I captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya was expected to take the role from Rohit Sharma after the latter retired from the format after a T20 WC 2024 trophy-winning campaign. He was even a regular captain of India in T20Is when BCCI was looking ahead of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in this format. But the all-rounder’s injury during the ODI WC 2023 puts doubt in the selectors’ minds.
After Rohit’s T20I retirement, the BCCI wants a captain who can be available regularly without injury concerns. Hardik’s injury-prone body costs him an India captaincy.
4. Suryakumar Yadav becoming an India’s T20I captain
Suryakumar Yadav becoming India’s T20I captain might also not help Hardik Pandya’s case in Mumbai Indians. Because Suryakumar Yadav is also a part of MI, the franchise might be tempted to give him a captaincy role instead of continuing with Hardik Pandya. No franchise would want to have an Indian T20I captain to feature as a player in the team.
So these are a few reasons that might hamper Pandya’s association with MI.
Hardik Pandya did well for GT in the first two seasons
Hardik Pandya becomes the captain of a newly formed franchise, Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2022. The Indian all-rounder won the title as captain in an inaugural season with GT. His team also played in the final of IPL 2023 but lost to CSK in a last ball-thriller.
Hardik couldn’t replicate his performance with MI
Hardik Pandya was unable to replicate his heroics with MI in IPL 2024. MI only managed to win 4 games out of 14 and finished at the bottom of the points table.
On the other hand, his former team, GT also didn’t have a good outing in the IPL 2024. They only managed to win 5 games and finished at No. 8 in the points table.
Now, MI might look to replace Hardik with Surya if reports are to be believed.
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Conclusion
So this is all about Hardik Pandya reportedly parting ways with MI before IPL 2025. There is no official confirmation yet. Also, it might be a rumor rather than a report, but it has some kind of truth left behind it.
Let’s see how things panned out for Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians. A lot will depend on how the IPL governing council forms rules and regulations for player retention for the IPL 2025.
What do you think? Will MI retain Hardik for IPL 2025? Or will he continue? And if yes, will he play for MI as a player or as captain? Comment your prediction below.
FAQs:-
(1) How many players’ retentions were allowed before the IPL 2024?
The franchises are allowed to retain a maximum of 5 players in 2018, which comes down to 4 in 2022.
(2) Who will captain Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025?
As of now, GT might stick with Shubman Gill and look to give him a longer run in the captaincy role.
(3) Can we see a mega auction before IPL 2025?
No official confirmation has been given by the BCCI or an IPL governing council. Some franchises are in favor of mega auctions, while some differ from it.
(4) Will Rohit Sharma leave MI before IPL 2025?
Some media reports suggest Rohit might leave MI and look for a captaincy role in other franchises. But no official words have been given by him or the MI franchise.
