Mahela Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians’ Global Head of Cricket, admitted that replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as the team’s captain was a tough decision but termed it a necessary call with the future in mind.
Hardik’s return to the franchise as captain had drawn sharp response from the team fanbase but Jayawardene asserted that Rohit will remain an integral part of the side.
“It was a tough decision. It was emotional, to be honest. It’s fair on the fans as well (to react). I think everyone is emotional and we have to respect that as well. But at the same time, as a franchise, you have to make those decisions,” Jayawardene told JioCinema.
The former Sri Lanka captain said the decision was made after meaningful conversations. “The legacy is something we want to build on and make sure we keep fighting for those wins, those trophies. That’s the focus going ahead.
“Probably, everyone will think it is too soon, but it is a decision we had to make at some point,” Jayawardene said, adding that Hardik — who was a part of the Mumbai franchise from 2015-21, fits well into the leadership environment.
“Hardik has been in the dressing room for quite some time, so that’s nothing new. We know what he brings in as an all-rounder,” he said.
“It will be something different with his experience of leading the team at Gujarat (for two seasons), so, it is an opportunity to build on that.”
However, Jayawardene said stripping of captaincy will not have any effect on Rohit’s place in the Mumbai Indians establishment.
“Having Rohit in the team, on and off the field to guide the next generation is very important for us. He has been absolutely brilliant. I have worked very closely with
him. I am sure he will be part of the legacy who will guide that through.”
Jayawardene cited the example of Sachin Tendulkar, who gave away MI captaincy to play as a senior batter and mentor for the younger players of the side to validate his point. “Sachin played with the youngsters. He gave the leadership to someone else and made sure Mumbai Indians was going in the right direction. It’s the same thing.”
Nehra banks on Gill
New Delhi: Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra admitted that it will be tough to replace a multi-faceted player like Hardik Pandya but banked on Shubman Gill to shoulder the responsibility of leading the side in next year’s IPL.
Hardik recently returned to Mumbai Indians and has been appointed as the skipper of the five-time champions.
“To replace a player like Hardik Pandya is difficult considering his talent and experience. We have seen how he (Gill) has shaped up in the past three-four years. He is 24-25 years of age but he has a good head on his shoulders,” Nehra said in a virtual post-auction press meet on Tuesday night.
The former India pacer said the franchise will back Gill irrespective of the results in the next edition of the IPL.
“We believe in him. That is why we made him captain. I am not someone who will always go by results. Yes, results are important but when you come to captaincy you have to look at other things also. We are confident that Gill is the right person (for captaincy),” Nehra added.
The Titans battled intensely in the auction room in Dubai to buy Mitchell Starc before Kolkata Knight Riders purchased the Australian pacer for a record Rs 24.75 crore.
Nehra wasn’t surprised at the big paycheck which Starc attracted.
“There is nothing like being overpriced in the IPL. Everybody knows what Starc can do. We needed a fast bowler and have to be satisfied with what we have,” he said.
Boucher happy
MI head coach Mark Boucher was delighted at the pace attack that they have managed to assemble. Mumbai signed South African quick Gerald Coetzee, who had a fine ODI World Cup, and Sri Lanka’s left-arm pacer Dilshan Madhushanka.
PTI
