Published 16:53 IST, December 16th 2023
IPL 2024: Former CSK and India batsman stirs the pot, hints at Rohit Sharma joining MS Dhoni at CSK
Former CSK Batter S.Badrinath shares a cryptic post on X after Hardik Pandya replaces Rohit Sharma as the new captain of Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians (MI) announced Hardik Pandya as their new skipper, replacing Rohit Sharma after 11 seasons in charge. Rohit guided MI to a record five IPL titles in his 11 seasons with the organization and was successful in attaining moniker of the most successful IPL team along with CSK. Pandya transferred from the Gujarat Titans (GT) to his previous team, MI, in November of this year as part of an all-cash agreement. Hardik made sure GT had a dream start in 2022, as the squad won the prized trophy. In the previous season, he also guided GT to a runner-up position as CSK emerged victorious in the IPL 2023 championship.
3 things you need to know
- Mumbai Indians named Hardik Pandya as the new captain replacing Rohit Sharma
- Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, MI has won 5 IPL titles
- Speculations are rising on Rohit's place in Mumbai Indians team
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav breaks the internet with reaction after Rohit Sharma's removal as MI captain
IPL 2024: S Badrinath shares cryptic post on Rohit's plight
S Badrinath, former Team India batter and two-time IPL champion with CSK, has made an outrageous suggestion concerning Rohit. Badrinath shared a morphed image of Rohit in a CSK jersey on X, the former Twitter platform.
"What if..." Badrinath captioned the post.
What If #MI #CSK #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/wmrIauLv4U
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) December 16, 2023
In terms of CSK, the team has decided to keep its batsman-wicket keeper MS Dhoni, who will serve as team captain in the 2024 Indian Premier League. Earlier this year, Dhoni guided CSK to a record-tying fifth triumph.
Also Read: 'I don't think anyone can be compared to him': KL Rahul on MS Dhoni and his leadership aura
Mahela Jayawardene's view on Hardik Pandya as the new captain of MI
Commenting on Hardik's appointment as captain, Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance, Mumbai Indians said: "It is part of legacy building and staying true to the MI philosophy of being future-ready.
"Mumbai Indians have always been blessed with exceptional leadership right from Sachin to Harbhajan and Ricky to Rohit, who while contributing to the immediate success have always had an eye on strengthening the team for the future.
"It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season." Rohit, who recently led India to the ODI World Cup final, had been captaining the franchise since 2013 when they lifted first of their five IPL trophies.
The other titles under Rohit's captaincy came in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Mumbai Indians had made it to the play-offs in IPL 2023.
"We express our gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership; his tenure as the captain of the Mumbai Indians since 2013 has been nothing short of extraordinary.
"His leadership has not only brought unparalleled success to the team but has also solidified his place as one of the finest captains in the history of the IPL.
"Under his guidance, MI became one of the most successful and loved teams ever. We will look forward to his guidance and experience on and off the field to further strengthen MI.
"We welcome Hardik Pandya as the new captain of MI and wish him all the very best," added Jayawardene.
Updated 20:17 IST, December 16th 2023