"Rohit Sharma Has Experience But...": Yuvraj Singh's No Nonsense Take On Mumbai Indians Captaincy Change

The Mumbai Indians captain change triggered a huge storm on social media, with fans blasting the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise for replacing skipper Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya. Several fans felt the decision came in too early as the franchise bosses explained that the hard step had to be taken in the wake of the future. When former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh was asked about the captaincy change, he said that the franchise had to think long term, but the experience that Rohit Sharma brings, can't be replaced.

"In franchise cricket, it always gets tough as you get old. Every franchise is always looking to promote a young player on whom they have spent a lot, and that is only fair. I have faced this situation too. But then, there can't be a replacement for experience. Rohit has huge experience and has delivered. But a franchise has to think long term," Yuvraj told the Times of India.

Hardik has also been touted as India's future captain in white-ball cricket but his injury record doesn't paint a rosy picture. Yuvraj feels the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are other options for the captaincy spot if Hardik's injury record doesn't improve.

"Hardik is a very important member of the team and India need him. He is injury prone and we need to give him time to recuperate and settle down. We have to get the best out of him. As for captaincy, we need to have more options. There is Suryakumar Yadav, who has been captaining India in T20Is. There is Shubman Gill, who be captain in IPL," he said.

Hardik is injured at the moment and isn't a part of India's T20I series against Afghanistan. But, he is expected to be fit in time for the IPL 2024 campaign for Mumbai Indians.