There seems to be a big disconnect in the Mumbai Indians camp in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The captaincy change saga has had big ripple effects on the team’s performance, and the implications seem to be huge. While there were already suggestions of two groups within the MI camp, it has now been reported that Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya aren’t even practicing with each other in the middle. Narrating a recent event, a report claimed that the trio of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma got up and left Hardik came to bat in the nets.
As per the report in Dainik Jagaran, Hardik and Rohit haven’t practised together much in this IPL. Ahead of the match against KKR, which MI lost, Rohit was spotted batting in the nets first. Then, Hardik wasn’t around.
Then, as Rohit was sitting on the sidelines with Suryakumar and Tilak Varma, Hardik came out to bat in the nets. Seeing the skipper walk in, all three of Rohit, Surya, and Tilak said to have got up and walked to the other side of the ground.
Ahead of the match between KKR and MI at Eden Gardens, Rohit’s chat with the assistant coach of the opponent side, Abhishek Nayar, had also triggered a storm. The conversation saw Rohit seemingly listing the changes that have taken place at Mumbai Indians since Hardik took over the reins. During the chat, Rohit seemed to have also confirmed that it was his last season with the Mumbai Indians.
With the IPL to witness a mega auction next season, it remains highly unlikely that Rohit would be retained by the Mumbai Indians. The franchise has played its card by appointing Hardik as the new captain, confirming that they see their future with the India all-rounder.
For Rohit, who probably wants to continue playing for a few more seasons, there still remain a few IPL sides who would be willing to bet on him.