The relationship between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, captain and vice-captain of the Indian cricket team, has reportedly hit a new low. The rift between the two is said to have started when Mumbai Indians appointed Hardik as their captain for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, replacing Rohit, who had led the team to five IPL titles. This decision reportedly did not sit well with Rohit, as it was the first time a current Indian captain would play under someone else in the IPL.
The situation has been further exacerbated by both Rohit and Hardik’s poor performances in the IPL this season, which has contributed to MI’s struggles. Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful teams in IPL history, are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table with just one match remaining. Rohit, who has been the team’s mainstay over the years, has managed only 349 runs at a strike rate of 145, while Hardik, who was expected to lead the team’s resurgence, has scored only 200 runs at an average of 18.
There have also been reports of separate camps within the MI setup, with Rohit and Pandya rarely practicing together. During a recent practice session, Rohit and his teammates Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma reportedly left the nets when Hardik arrived to have a session. This incident has further fueled speculation about the rift between the two players.
If the reports of a rift between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are true, it could have a significant impact on the Indian team’s performance in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. With the tournament just a few months away, the team needs to be united and focused on the task at hand. It remains to be seen how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management will address this issue and whether they can resolve the differences between the two players before the World Cup.
