Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya opened up on the particular feeling following his return to the five-time IPL champions. MI will face Pandya’s former aspect Gujarat Titans of their IPL 2024 opener on March 24.
In a historic commerce transfer in November 2023, Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians after captaining Gujarat Titans for 2 years. Simply days forward of the IPL 2024 mini-auction, MI introduced Pandya as the brand new captain, changing the incumbent Rohit Sharma.
Talking in a video launched by Mumbai Indians to social media platform ‘X’, Pandya mentioned the sensation of carrying MI’s jersey could be very particular, insisting that they may attempt to play a model of cricket that the followers are going to be pleased with. Pandya began his IPL profession with MI again in 2015 and was part of their squad for six seasons.
“The sensation of carrying this color could be very particular for me. My journey began right here, and coming again house would at all times going to be particular. Lasith Malinga has been my brother from the beginning and Mark Boucher has been great,” mentioned Pandya.
“We’ll ensure we play a model of cricket that every one goes to be pleased with and on the similar level of time its going to be a experience nobody will overlook,” Pandya added.
Pandya is ready to face an fascinating problem in his first match as Mumbai Indians captain as they may lock horns together with his former aspect Gujarat Titans of their opening match in IPL 2024 on Sunday, March 24.
The match will probably be held on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the place Pandya reigned as captain for 2 seasons. He led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title of their maiden season in 2022 earlier than dropping the 2023 ultimate in opposition to MS Dhoni’s Chennai Tremendous Kings.
IPL 2024: Full squads of all groups
Pandya gained the IPL with Mumbai Indians in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. However after an detached season in 2021, MI launched him. He added one other IPL trophy to his assortment and his first as captain earlier than returning to the Wankhede Stadium.
Pandya has been one of many marquee all-rounders within the IPL lately, having scored 2,309 runs at a median of 30.38 whereas putting at 145.86 in 123 matches. He’s smashed 10 half-centuries, whereas additionally choosing up 53 wickets.
