Mumbai: Hardik Pandya’s ankle injury, which ruled him out of the ODI World Cup after just 4 matches, may be much more serious than anticipated by many.
Mumbai Indians, who got back the allrounder on board after two seasons with new franchise Gujarat Titans ahead of the players’ auction, had already named Pandya as captain for IPL 2024.
But now Mumbai Indians may need a major rethink.
According to a PTI report, Pandya is likely to miss next month’s T20 International series against Afghanistan and may not even be fit for IPL 2024, which will get underway on March 22.
“There is no update on Hardik’s fitness status as of now and one can say there remains a big question mark of him being available before the end of IPL,” a BCCI source told PTI.
That will leave Team India’s T20 team as well as Mumbi Indians searching for replacement captains.
It will be particularly embarrassing for Mumbai Indians, who dumped their most successful leader Rohit Sharma – five IPL titles – and replaced him with Pandya, much to everyone’s surprise.
Will Mumbai Indians have to go back to Rohit if Pandya is, indeed, ruled out of the next IPL?
Netizens, who had shown their support for Rohit after he was removed as Mumbai captain a week ago, were again rooting for their favourite batsman.
“Rohit Sharma is coming to win his 7th trophy and Hardik will see that from hospital bed,” wrote one user.
“Reports suggest Hardik Pandya might miss IPL 2024 due to his injury, Rohit Sharma captain again? What have Mumbai Indians got themselves into?” commented another person.
Rohit Sharma is coming to win his 7th trophy and hardik will see that from hospital bed 🛏️🔥🔥🔥🔥#HardikPandya . pic.twitter.com/ip5GCgU8cP
— Anish 🇮🇳 (@Anishmondal231) December 23, 2023
Rohit Sharma Supremacy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cZqrIOhD5f
— Radhika Chaudhary (@Radhika8057) December 23, 2023
This is Cinima 😭 #HardikPandya https://t.co/rfSpcamYE0 pic.twitter.com/lgXgFTSQZP
— Sudarshn. (@Imsudarshan__) December 23, 2023
