“In Hardik Pandya’s case, Rohit Sharma’s fanbase didn’t like it” - BCCI reveals an untold story from Mumbai Indians captaincy controversy

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla shares behind-the-scenes insight into the Mumbai Indians captaincy switch from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2024. Fan backlash, player maturity, and franchise dynamics explored.

By Jack 24 Aug 2025 in Cricket

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has disclosed that the board officials had reached out to the Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya when he became the new captain of the franchise, replacing Rohit Sharma.

Notably, Rohit’s fanbase didn’t like the idea of the Mumbai Indians replacing their hero with Hardik Pandya as the new captain of the franchise, as Hardik was subjected to social media trolling and on-ground booing during the IPL 2024 season.

In an exclusive conversation posted by the UPT20 YouTube channel, Shukla revealed that the BCCI officials had a word with both Rohit and Hardik and informed them not to worry much about the matter. Moreover, Shukla praised Hardik for being mature throughout the situation.

“When such incidents happen, people within the BCCI do reach out to players not to worry. In Hardik’s case, Rohit Sharma’s fan base did not like it. But the matter is done. Neither did Rohit Sharma provoke anybody, and Hardik always knew this could happen and was mature,” Shukla said on UPT20 YouTube channel.

Notably, in the IPL 2024 season, the Mumbai Indians failed to create an impact as they finished with the wooden spoon, winning only four out of 14 games in the league phase, as Hardik received a lot of criticism during and after the season.

Nevertheless, the franchise made a stunning comeback in the IPL 2025 season, winning eight out of 14 games to make it to the playoffs. However, their season came to an end after the franchise lost to the eventual runners-up Punjab Kings, in the second qualifier by five wickets.

In IPL 2025, Rohit Sharma ended with 418 runs from 15 innings at an average of 29.86 and a strike rate of 149.28 with four half-centuries, while his best score was an 81-run knock.

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