During their IPL 2024 news conference, Hardik Pandya and Mark Boucher chose to exclude three important issues. Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Gujarat Titans (GT) in their 2024 IPL campaign, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya returning after two seasons with GT in 2022 and 2023. Pandya has led GT to a title and runner-up finish in two seasons, while Rohit Sharma has led MI to all five titles and has captained the side for over a decade since 2013.
MI’s camaraderie among players and the Hardik-Rohit dynamic on and off the field makes them an exciting franchise to follow during IPL 2024. However, MI’s camp seems to be lacking unity, with Hardik and head coach Mark Boucher skipping several key questions during their pre-tournament press conference. MI’s third-place finish last year demonstrates their potential against any opposition, and they hope to match their potential on the field.
Hardik Pandya and Mark Boucher chose to exclude three important issues
- During a press conference for Hardik Pandya and Mark Boucher, the question of why Mumbai Indians (MI) replaced Rohit Sharma as captain was raised. The reporter asked Boucher what made the management decide Rohit should not captain the team and Hardik should. The video went viral, causing a stir among fans. Hardik later addressed the question, saying Rohit would always be there to help him. Rohit was the skipper when Hardik started playing for MI in the IPL in 2015. Former MI wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel suggested the franchise retain Hardik despite Rohit’s insistence. Hardik has played in four of MI’s five titles in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
- Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians media manager stopped a journalist from questioning him about a potential captaincy clause in his contract. Rumors arose about Pandya’s immediate appointment as captain upon his return to MI. There were rumors about whether Pandya would return only if made skipper. Interestingly, Pandya led India in T20Is after the 2022 World Cup, before Rohit returned and captained the team for the Afghanistan series. Rohit will also lead India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and Hardik is likely to play under Rohit in a role reversal to the IPL.
- The MI Media manager prevented skipper Hardik Pandya from answering a question about his conversation with new GT captain Shubman Gill after moving from the franchise. The reporter asked if Hardik had a chat with Gill about passing on the baton. Hardik jokingly replied, “I like this, full drama.” The two had a great relationship at GT, nearly pulling off back-to-back titles. Gill finished as the leading run-scorer last year with 890 runs in 17 games and was made captain for the upcoming 2024 season.
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