Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav leave nets upon seeing Hardik Pandya approach to bat: Report

Cricket Stars Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya’s Relationship Strained Ahead of T20 World Cup

All is not well between Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. Reports suggest that their relationship has deteriorated significantly, posing a potential challenge for the Indian team as they aim to secure their first ICC trophy in 11 years.

Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav
Mumbai Indians batters Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (Deepak Gupta/Hindustan Times)

The discord between the two players originated when the Mumbai Indians unexpectedly appointed Hardik as their captain, replacing Rohit, a five-time IPL champion and renowned leader. This marked the first instance of a current Indian captain playing under another captain in the IPL.

Fans expressed their disapproval by booing Hardik during Mumbai Indians’ matches in the 17th edition of the tournament. His subpar performance and the team’s struggles further complicated the situation.

Following three lackluster seasons under Rohit’s leadership, Mumbai Indians’ hopes of a revival were dashed as they became the first team to exit the tournament.

During a match against the Kolkata Knight Riders, attention shifted from the game itself to a conversation between Rohit and Abhishek Nayar, KKR’s assistant coach. The dialogue hinted at dissatisfaction with the team’s culture and values.

Reports suggest that Rohit and Hardik rarely practiced together during this IPL season. Ahead of their match against KKR, Rohit took the batting nets first, with no sign of Hardik. After Rohit finished his session and sat with teammates, including Suryakumar Yadav, they moved away when Hardik joined the net session.

Rohit and Hardik’s Lackluster Performance in IPL 2024

Both Rohit and Hardik underperformed in the IPL, affecting Mumbai Indians’ overall performance. The team, known for its success, is heading towards a bottom-place finish. Hardik, as the captain, had a challenging season, scoring only 200 runs with an average of 18. While he took 11 wickets, his high economy rate of 10.59 impacted the team.

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Rohit, the team’s opener, had a strong start to the season but struggled as it progressed, scoring 349 runs at a strike rate of 145.

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