IPL 2024: Rohit Sharma 'very important' to Mumbai Indians to guide next generation, says Mahela Jayawardene
IPL Auction 2024: The decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain of Mumbai Indians was a collective one and the legendary India skipper will be key to the side's transition plans, Global Head of Cricket Mahela Jayawardene said.
In Short
- MI appointed Hardik Pandya as their captain in a move that created a stir
- Rohit Sharma is all set to play under Hardik at Mumbai Indians
- MI added firepower to their pace-bowling department during the mini-auction
Mumbai Indians are confident that Rohit Sharma will continue to play an integral role for the team and ensure a smooth transition after Hardik Pandya replaced him as captain ahead of IPL 2024 Auction. Head of Cricket and former coach, Mahela Jayawardene said on Tuesday that Rohit will be 'very important' to the 5-time champions in terms of guiding the next generation of players at the franchise.
Mumbai Indians made a "tough" and "emotional" call to replace their most successful captain Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya, who rejoined the team after a historic trade deal earlier in the year. While Hardik's elevation to captaincy after his success at Gujarat Titans was on the cards, MI helped raise a few eyebrows by opting for a change in captaincy as early as the 2024 season.
Rohit Sharma, 37, is still one of the finest openers going around in white-ball cricket and the Mumbai Indians star was impressive as a leader in India's run to the ODI World Cup final earlier this year.
Not many IPL teams in the past have initiated such transition phases after replacing one of their finest captains, but Jayawardene said Mumbai Indians were prepared to hit the 'restet' button.
"(long-term plan) This is something we have spoken about as a franchise. It is a tough decision, we had to make them. It is emotional, it is tough, to be honest. But everyone who has been part of Mumbai know we cherish every moment a player has contributed and will contribute going forward," Jayawardene told JioCinema on the sidelines of IPL mini-auction in Dubai.
"The legacy is something we want to build on and make sure we keep fighting for those wins, those trophies. As a good unit, we have the skill set to do it. That's the focus going ahead. Probably everyone in their eyes will think it is too soon, but it is a decision we had to make at some point," he added.
COLLECTIVE DECISION
Jayawardene also highlighted that the decision to replace Rohit with Hardik as captain for IPL 2024 was a collective one and everybody in the side has bought into their vision.
The former Sri Lanka captain also gave the example of Sachin Tendulkar and how the legendary batter was willing to play under other captains in the early years of Mumbai Indians.
"Having Ro (Rohit Sharma) 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 Ro. He is a fabulous individual and I am sure he will be part of the legacy who will guide that through.
"Mumbai have had that in the past too with Sachin (Tendulkar), who 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.
"We had this conversation and everyone is buying into that, so, it's for us to look forward to the next season," Jayawardene said.
Mumbai Indians bought 8 players at the IPL 2024 auction on Tuesday, perfectly plugging the holes in their squad. South Africa all-rounder Gerland Coetzee was their costliest pick at Rs 5 crore while MI also bought two exciting Sri Lankan fast-bowling talents in Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara.