The appointment of Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season has been the subject of much debate, with some critics questioning whether the move was made too hastily and without proper planning.
Wasim Akram, a former Pakistan captain and one of the most respected voices in cricket, believes that the captaincy change was a significant factor in Mumbai Indians’ poor performance this season. Akram pointed out that the team lost its first three games under Pandya’s leadership and has struggled to find consistency throughout the tournament.
Akram also suggested that if Rohit Sharma had relinquished his captaincy of both the Indian team and Mumbai Indians, it would have been a smoother transition for Pandya and the team. He believes that by continuing to lead India while also taking on the captaincy of Mumbai Indians, Pandya was put under too much pressure and was unable to perform to his full potential.
It remains to be seen whether Mumbai Indians will make any changes to their leadership structure for the 2025 season. However, Akram’s comments suggest that the team may need to reconsider its approach to captaincy if it wants to return to its former glory.
