NEW DELHI
In an emotional dressing room moment, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya paid a heartfelt tribute to former skipper Rohit Sharma, celebrating his landmark 15th anniversary with the franchise. Pandya thanked the veteran opener for “leading the way” and serving as a constant source of inspiration for generations of cricketers within the team.
Rohit’s journey with the Mumbai Indians began on April 10, 2011, after a transfer from Deccan Chargers that was famously encouraged by legend Sachin Tendulkar. Since that debut, Rohit has become the heart of the franchise, most notably guiding them to an incredible five IPL titles between 2013 and 2020. His leadership transformed the team into a global cricketing powerhouse.
“Thank you for inspiring so many people,” Pandya said during a video shared by the team. He noted that many current stars, including himself and Jasprit Bumrah, made their professional debuts under Rohit’s mentorship. Pandya praised not just Rohit’s tactical brilliance on the field, but also his “friendly and open” nature as a human being.
Reflecting on his long tenure, Rohit expressed his own gratitude toward the management, coaching staff, and teammates. He emphasized that the team’s massive success was never about individual brilliance but was the result of a collective effort and a supportive environment. He thanked the franchise owners for backing him throughout his evolution as a player and a leader, marking a legacy that remains the gold standard in IPL history.
