Former India cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar is excited to see Rohit Sharma as a pur batter in the next season of the Indian Premier League. Sharma was replaced as the Mumbai Indians captain as the franchise decided to hand the reins to Hardik Pandya. Pandya was transferred in an all-cash deal from Gujarat Titans to MI, marking a homecoming for the all-rounder.
Speaking about the move just ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, Manjrekar said that one should not think about the decision sentimentally or emotionally. The former batter believed that Rohit had been in the setup for a very long time and it was the right time for a change.
“We should not be thinking sentimentally or emotionally about Rohit Sharma. It is a good move by Mumbai Indians because Hardik Pandya is a proven leader and player. He is your in-form T20 captain and player and Rohit Sharma has been around for a long time,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
“It makes a lot of cricketing sense to bring in Hardik Pandya, I just hope that Hardik Pandya does not feel the pressure due to the way this has happened. Rohit Sharma will be the same batter. If he continues to be the pure batter and not a captain, I don’t mind the leadership change at all,” Manjrekar further added.
Sharma has been in fantastic form in international cricket. The batter’s aggressive batting in the opening slot has allowed India to get rapid starts. Owing to Sharma’s batting, India dominated all matches in the run-up to the ODI World Cup final. Playing against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rohit gave India a stunning start, but the Australian bowlers proved to be too good on the day.
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians after spending two years in Gujarat Titans. Hardik had led GT to their maiden IPL title in their debut season. In 2023, Pandya led GT to the final of the tournament, where they lost against Chennai Super Kings in a last-ball thriller.
