Pandya opens up on a host of issues: his relationship with Rohit, his fitness, and why he won’t be focussing on T20 world cup but concentrate on IPL.Ever since it was announced he will replace Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians’s captain, Hardik Pandya has found himself a target from Rohit’s and Mumbai Indians’ fans. The reactions from a few Mumbai Indians players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah at the time of announcement stirred the pot as they were perceived to be displeased at the move. Rohit’s wife too stirred it further by her reactions on social media now and then – like when she denounced what Mark Boucher, Mumbai Indians’s coach, said recently about how the replacement process was done.
And so, Hardik Pandya’s first media interaction as Mumbai Indians’s captain on Monday was a much-awaited event. As expected the questions about him replacing Rohit came pretty soon in the piece.Obviously well-prepared for the line of questioning, Pandya didn’t show any annoyance or showed any agitation. The allrounder said that he ‘respects fans’ and that he can only control the controllable. “I don’t focus on what I can’t control. At the same time, I am very grateful to fans. They have every right to say what they say. I respect their opinion. At the same time, we will focus on doing well,” Pandya said in a measured tone.He was asked again whether it will be an awkward situation to have Sharma play under him just as a player and Pandya assured there won’t be any such ill feeling.
