Mumbai Indians dropped a bombshell last month as they traded in their former player Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans. While some fans were delighted with the homecoming of the Baroda all-rounder, others were perplexed as to why he chose to leave Gujarat, a team that saw tremendous success under his leadership.
A major section of cricket enthusiasts couldn’t understand the reasoning behind him choosing to let go of captaincy for Gujarat and play under Rohit’s leadership at Mumbai. However, the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions had a huge surprise up their sleeves as they announced Hardik as their new captain on Friday, December 15.
Rohit led Mumbai to five titles but he will now have to play under Hardik in the 2024 edition of the tournament. The star all-rounder made his IPL debut for Mumbai in 2015 and played under Rohit’s leadership for the franchise till 2021. After being roped in by the Titans, Hardik was announced as the leader, and under him, the team won the tournament in 2022, in their first appearance. This year, the 30-year-old led Gujarat to the finals, where they lost to MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad.
A section of cricket fans have been rubbed the wrong way after Rohit’s unceremonious sacking as they felt that the franchise has disrespected Rohit’s undeniable contribution to their success. Mumbai has lost over 4 lakh followers on their official Instagram and ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) handles. Fans have also burned and torn jerseys of the team, showing their disapproval.
Now, the fans have started trending “RIP MUMBAI INDIANS” on ‘X’ to vent their frustration. Things are certainly not rosy in the Mumbai camp as they might not have expected heat as severe as this from the fans.
Here’s a look at some of the tweets from the fans:
#RIPMumbaiIndians
Love U Hitman 💙
— Rajveer Singh (@Rajveer57773) December 17, 2023
After @msdhoni .@ImRo45 is our second emotion. #RIPMumbaiIndians #unfollowmi #shameonmumbaiindians
— Maidul (@Maidul_official) December 17, 2023
No more supporting @mipaltan
Shameful act by @hardikpandya7 and @mipaltan supporting it.#RIPMumbaiIndians
— avanish tiwari (@avanish07) December 17, 2023
MI SUPPORT RESOAN ROHIT
No More MI supports
Greatest captain in IPL History #RIPMumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/uNFlwACUPp
— Jay desai (@JdKherva) December 17, 2023
#RIPMumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/VjFVYjzmQz
— Cric Bold (@cric_bold) December 17, 2023
You are forever my captain @ImRo45 #shameonmumbaiindians #ShameOnMi#RIPMumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/02TApa3BTS
— Avinash Chauhan (@i_avinashkr) December 17, 2023
@ImRo45 Rohit Sharma nhi to ham bhi nahi#RohitSharma𓃵 #RIPMumbaiIndians #shameonmumbaiindians @mipaltan 🤬😡
— Anand Sagar (@AnandSagar0) December 17, 2023
Another day of realising that Rohit Sharma is bigger than MI franchise.#RohitSharma #RohitSharma𓃵 #ShameOnMI #shameonmumbaiindians #RIPMumbaiIndians #UnfollowMI pic.twitter.com/KrZPWYNuPC
— Nikhil Sahoo (@Nikhilkuma98531) December 17, 2023
Always with you @ImRo45 #RIPMumbaiIndians #RohitSharma #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/Asesg6yKAY
— SHADZ (@Shadab91Ahmed) December 17, 2023
#RIPMumbaiIndians https://t.co/W2aX69CFfi
— satish kumar khatri (@khatri_satish) December 17, 2023
Best cricketer in this world cup and the only one to watch in this world cup @ImRo45 still in his prime then also making @hardikpandya7 captain. #RIPMumbaiIndians
— Ajey Dixit (@dixit_ajey) December 17, 2023
they will regret for it
RIP MUMBAI INDIANS pic.twitter.com/Lj4Tn3VhVy
— Rohit cult fan (@Rohit42087876) December 16, 2023
Rohit Sharma is an emotion man ❤
We love you RO
RIP MUMBAI INDIANS
RIP MUMBAI INDIANSpic.twitter.com/fxdEaR1pnB
— Golden Era 🚩❤ (@Reign_of_Rohit) December 16, 2023
Mumbai Indians under Rohit Sharma captaincy.
MI management forgot all this 💔
RIP MUMBAI INDIANS#ShameOnMI pic.twitter.com/vIF72k5UqM
— 🏆💔 (@Imsudarshan__) December 16, 2023
Rohit Sharma You deserved Better 💔.
I will Always Support You Till My last Breath 💙
RIP MUMBAI INDIANS
pic.twitter.com/iHuFjNGPg4
— Shubham 𝕏 (@DankShubhum) December 16, 2023
Mumbai Indians will always be known for captain Rohit Sharma
Ambanis & Pandya will always be remembered for their betrayal
RIP MUMBAI INDIANS
pic.twitter.com/n3STrBjjAU
— Nisha (@NishaRo45_) December 16, 2023