In what was supposed to be a season of revival for Mumbai Indians, the team’s fortunes have plummeted, leaving them with no chance of making the playoffs. Their sole objective now is to avoid finishing at the bottom of the points table when they face Lucknow Super Giants in their final IPL 2024 match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. However, Mumbai Indians have more pressing concerns than just defeating LSG or praying for PBKS to lose their final match. Reports have emerged of a widening chasm between former captain Rohit Sharma and current skipper Hardik Pandya, leading to a clear division within the dressing room. This rift has its roots in MI’s controversial decision to replace Sharma, the team’s most successful captain, with Pandya at the start of the season. The differences between Sharma and Pandya have reached a point where they reportedly rarely practice together. According to sources, Indian players within the team favor reinstating Sharma as captain, while overseas players have sided with Pandya. Notably, MI lacks significant overseas recruits, a point highlighted by former South Africa captain AB de Villiers. He expressed concerns that Pandya’s aggressive leadership style, which may be effective with younger or less experienced players, could clash with established stars like Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. However, Pandya’s relationship with overseas players seems to be more harmonious. Tim David praised Pandya as the “glue” of the team, stating that he provided freedom to the players. He hailed Pandya’s leadership and the positive impact he has had on the team. Despite Pandya’s perceived favorability among overseas players, his strained relationship with Sharma remains a major issue. The report also mentions instances of Sharma and Pandya’s camp leaving the practice session as soon as the other arrives. Furthermore, both players have endured poor form throughout the tournament. If the divide between Sharma and Pandya persists, significant changes within the MI setup should not come as a surprise, especially with the mega auctions approaching next year.
Mumbai Indians’ Season Ends in Disaster, Divided Dressing Room Emerges
