IPL 2024: Is Rohit Sharma returning as Mumbai Indians' skipper?

Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a disastrous start to their campaign in the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) having lost three matches on the trot.

The five-time champions commenced the season with a defeat by six runs against Gujarat Titans and subsequently suffered crushing losses against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in the following two fixtures.

Notably, before the season began, the MI team management made a change in leadership by appointing Hardik Pandya as their new skipper, replacing Rohit Sharma, who had led them to five IPL titles. However, this decision has not been well received by the fans, who have launched a scathing attack on Pandya, who was traded from Gujarat Titans before the season.

The situation escalated during Mumbai's first home fixture against Rajasthan as Pandya was booed by fans at the toss and throughout the game for every mistake he made. 

The intense pressure from the hostile crowd was evident on Pandya's face, and former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary was quick to notice it. The Bengal cricketer even suggested that MI might reconsider appointing Rohit as captain of the side.

"It's a clue that Hardik is under pressure. If he is not bowling having bowled in the first 2 games, and in conditions where there was swing on offer in both first and second innings, I think he felt the pressure with the kind of reception he received. I want to say something big. I have this feeling that during this break, Rohit Sharma could be given back the captaincy from Hardik Pandya," Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.

Tiwary further stated that these franchises and owners don’t hesitate to take calls and might be forced to make a quick change after a poor show in the first three games.

"It can happen. It's a big call because whatever little I understand these franchises and owners, they don't hesitate in taking calls. They had started it when they took the captaincy from Rohit and gave it to Hardik. Now it's pretty big when you change a captain who has won you five titles. And now that they haven't won a single game and the captaincy also looks jaded. Mistakes are happening,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mumbai are currently languishing at the last spot on the points table being the only winless team of the season so far with zero points to their name from three matches. They will next take on Delhi Capitals on Sunday, April 07 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.