Following a decade-long absence, former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is poised to make a comeback to the commentary box for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Joining the Star Sports broadcasting team, Sidhu will bring his wealth of experience to the role after establishing himself as a prominent figure in cricket broadcasting. Renowned for his illustrious playing career, Sidhu will lend his voice from the inaugural match of the 17th edition, featuring the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Navjot Singh Sidhu’s insights

In an interview with PTI, Sidhu shared his insights, addressing topics ranging from the international cricket to one of the most significant captaincy debates witnessed in the IPL’s history. This debate revolves around Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma vying for the title of the most successful captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise.

Mumbai Indians’ leadership transition

The period between 2013 and 2020 marked a glorious era for Mumbai, as they clinched the IPL title five times in just eight attempts under the leadership of Rohit. However, in recent years, they have faced challenges in securing the championship. To revive their former glory, Mumbai has undergone significant transformations, notably passing the captaincy baton to Hardik.

Hardik, a pivotal figure in MI’s previous triumphs, led the Gujarat Titans (GT) to victory in his inaugural attempt in 2022 and steered them to the final in 2023.

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Hardik Pandya vs Rohit Sharma

While Hardik demonstrated his mettle as a captain, Rohit struggled to lead his team to the playoffs in the last three seasons. Even with the bat, Rohit’s performance has not been up to par. The past two seasons have been disappointing for Rohit Sharma compared to the high standards he has set for himself. Since the 2019 season, when he scored 405 runs in Mumbai’s fourth IPL-winning campaign, he has yet to surpass the 400 runs mark.

Sidhu’s perspective on MI captaincy debate

Sidhu expanded on the Mumbai’s captaincy transition, highlighting how Hardik Pandya’s ascendancy over Rohit signifies a shift in the traditional approach, where leadership roles are now determined primarily by outstanding on-field performances. He indicated that this change represents a departure from the previous conventions, suggesting that established norms must evolve to make way for new approaches.

“In my time, people would carry on despite bad form because there were no replacements. Now, Hardik Pandya is replacing the Indian captain as captain at Mumbai Indians because he has performed so well. Not that it is derogatory to Rohit but it is just a thought process. The old order must change yielding place to the new,” Sidhu said.

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