IPL 2024: Playing under Hardik does not make Rohit smaller – Navjot Singh Sidhu on MI’s captaincy

Former Indian batter Navjot Singh Sidhu reckons playing under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy doesn’t make Rohit Sharma smaller. Rohit led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles from 2013 to 2023 but he was replaced as the skipper by the management as they passed the captaincy baton to Hardik Pandya.

Pandya led Gujarat Titans to glory in IPL 2022 and then led the franchise to the final of the tournament in the previous season. The all-rounder moved back to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash trade deal.

It was also reported that Pandya asked for captaincy and his condition was accepted by the management. However, Pandya has faced a lot of flak from the fans, which is a bit unjustified.

Sidhu wrote on his Twitter account that Rohit Sharma will be respected despite not being the captain.

“हाथी चाहे धूल में सना हो फिर भी सम्मानित होगा | कूकर को सोने की ज़ंज़ीरो में भी बांध दो सम्मानित नहीं होता | (Even if the elephant is covered in dust, it will still be respected. Even tying the dog with a gold chain does not make one respectable).”

Recalling his playing days, Sidhu added he played in an Indian team, which had five captains and there were no issues as all of them were representing INDIA.

The former opener said on Star Sports, “I have played in an Indian team where five captains used to play together. Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Ravi Shastri. Pick up a brick and you will find a captain both above and below it. There were no issues because they were playing for their nation. The motivation was to play for your country. So, playing under Hardik does not make Rohit smaller.”

Meanwhile, MI have lost both their matches and Pandya will be under the cosh to turn the tables. Mumbai will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.