One of India’s finest middle-order batters, Suresh Raina minced no words as he called out Mumbai Indians’ decision to sack Rohit Sharma as the franchise’s captain, paving the way for Hardik Pandya to lead the team. The decision by the management has also seen Hardik facing fans’ jeers in extreme during MI’s matches, both home and away. While Raina admitted that fans’ anger on the subject is understood, he urged them not to involve Hardik on a personal level or his family in the subject. (IPL 2024 Points Table)
“I don’t know why he was removed as captain. But, MI are doing well now, they won the last match,” Raina said before getting fact-checked by the interviewer.
“To be very honest, I feel Rohit should’ve remained as Mumbai Indians captain. But I think, the management is looking to have a leader who is younger. Rohit, I think is now 36 or 37,” Raina added in an interview with Lallantop.
Raina also feels the decision to name Hardik the captain could be reversed, with Rohit taking up the role again if the tea continues to go on the downward spiral.
When asked how can someone is not right to lead the franchise when he can remain Team India captain, Raina said, “I agree, that is what even I asked. I am not sure what the management thought. This is still the start of the IPL. Only time will tell if this decision was right or not. If MI fail in 3-4 more matches, Rohit could be re-appointed as captain.
On the subject of Hardik Pandya being booed by fans in the stadium, Raina said: “This is not right. Saying such things about him, his family isn’t correct. But, you can’t do much, everyone has the right to say things. You have to learn to avoid it.”
The Mumbai Indians are placed 6th in the IPL 2024 points table at present, with 3 wins in 7 matches.
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