Mumbai Indians in trouble as Hardik Pandya’s latest injury setback poses uncomfortable questions

Former IPL winners Mumbai Indians have found themselves in a tight spot. Newly appointed skipper Hardik Pandya is set to miss considerable time out of the game. News has trickled in that the 30-year-old is still a long way off from getting fit to resume cricket.

Hardik Pandya has had a history of injuries and the latest blow could see him miss four months of cricket. Even if he gets fit in time he will not be match ready to take part in the IPL 2024 season. March 22^nd is the likely date that IPL’s next season is slated to begin.

In the meanwhile the Mumbai Indians management will have to sit down again and re-think their strategies. Rohit Sharma’s removal from the top job drew public criticism and ire from the MI loyalists.

Mumbai Indians management set to eat humble pie?

The entire Mumbai Indians and its captaincy saga have been keeping their fans on the tenterhooks. Hardik Pandya is set to miss time away from the game for a long time. The 30-year-old is set to miss the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting on 11^th January.

Reports suggest Hardik Pandya might miss IPL 2024 due to his injury, Rohit Sharma captain again?

What have Mumbai Indians got themselves into?

— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) December 23, 2023

There are fears that Hardik Pandya is also set to miss the entire season of IPL 2024. According to PTI who spoke to an Indian Cricket Board source, the signs aren’t healthy as far as Hardik Pandya is concerned. The Source said “There is no update on Hardik’s fitness status as of now and one can say there remains a big question mark of him being available before the end of the IPL”

Just a week since Rohit Sharma was replaced as the captain of the side, Mumbai Indians might have to look for a new skipper. The overriding and popular choice seems to be Rohit himself. Suryakumar Yadav himself is out of action after getting injured during the final T20I game versus South Africa in Johannesburg. 

A massive number of MI fans want Rohit Sharma to be brought back as the skipper of the side. During the IPL Auction 2024, one fan in attendance shouted “Rohit Ko Wapas Lao” to which Akash Ambani remarked “Chinta Mat Karo, Wo Batting Karega”. It remains to be seen what the next course of action is set to be. Will Hardik Pandya beat the odds to come back in time for the IPL? Or will Rohit be back as the skipper of the side?