New Delhi: Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya’s alleged rift in IPL 2024 made the rounds ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. The change in captaincy at Mumbai Indians (MI) for the 17th edition of the cash-rich league turned out into a huge controversy.
Hardik, who led Gujarat Titans to back-to-back IPL finals, was handed over the captaincy reigns from Rohit, who led the franchise to five IPL titles. The Indian all-rounder was trolled massively during the matches of MI besides the backlash on social media platforms.
Despite the reported strange relations between Hardik and former India T20I skipper Rohit, the Men in Blue went on to lift the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados with nine straight wins. This was India’s second ICC title in the shorter version of the game after clinching the inaugural trophy in 2007.
Cricket journalist Vimal Kumar, who runs his independent YouTube channel by the name of Vimalwa, revealed some insights on the matter. The senior scribe explained how the two Indian players kept their differences aside to play for the team together.
“When I went to the nets, on the first day I saw they were standing far apart and did not talk to each other. But by the second day, I saw them come over, one after the other, and sit together in a corner, talking for a long time. That moment for me defined this team. There was no camera there; nothing. The way Rohit and Hardik were talking, I was like ‘what am I watching?’,” Vimal Kumar said on 2 Sloggers’ YouTube channel.
“There is so much going on in India with the public talking about their differences. After that, for the next three days, Rohit and Hardik would bat parallelly. And then Rohit would point out about his batting, bowling. When I saw that atmosphere and thought if they addressed such a complex issue, the elephant in the room. That vibe I saw demonstrated how relaxed the team atmosphere was,” he added.
Vimal Kumar credits former head coach Dravid for bringing senior players along together
Indian head coach Rahul Dravid ended his coaching stint with the Indian team with a befitting title. The T20 World Cup this year in the West Indies and the USA piped the U19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2018 for the former India captain as a coach. Vimal Kumar credited the 51-year-old Dravid for creating a good atmosphere in the Indian dressing room.
“The full credit goes to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma for this. The way he handled the big guys – Virat, Hardik, Rohit – I think Rahul Dravid has a lot to do with it. Everyone gelled together. That was the leadership I had confidence in,” Vimal said.
Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to back-to-back IPL finals, was handed over the captaincy reigns from Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five IPL titles. The Indian all-rounder was trolled massively during the matches of MI besides the backlash on social media platforms. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
