Hardik Pandya Press Conference highlights: New MI skipper Opens up on Captaincy change Controversy

Mumbai Indians’ newly-appointed skipper Hardik Pandya opened up on the captaincy change controversy that had virtually set social media on fire and left fans divided. The all-rounder said he was looking forward to working closely with Rohit Sharma in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which commences on March 22.

Speaking at a press conference, along with head coach Mark Boucher, Pandya said he would not feel awkward leading the Indian captain for the first time in his career.

While Pandya said he hasn’t spoken to Rohit yet about the captaincy change and the season, he added that he would be looking forward to the interaction when the players meet for their training session in Mumbai on Monday.

"It will not be any different at all. I will carry forward what this team has achieved under him (Rohit). I played my whole career under him, It won't be awkward. I know I will always have his hand on my shoulder. He's been busy, travelling and playing. It has been a couple of months since we have not seen each other. Once he comes, we will definitely have a chat," Pandya said in a press conference ahead of the team’s first practice match.

The all-rounder said it was good to be back to a place where everything had started for him.

“First of all, it is very good to be back. I’m back where everything started. It is a very surreal feeling because everything that I have known from 2015 to now has been because of this team. My life completely changed when I made my debut in 2015. I’m very grateful to have reached here and playing again at a ground that is my favourite from day one,” he added.

The 30-year-old termed his return to Mumbai Indians as a homecoming and added that he had never imagined he’ll be captaining Mumbai Indians at the beginning of his career. “It feels wonderful to be back. Never thought that 10 years down the line I’d be captaining Mumbai Indians. The feeling is amazing. I am very excited for the season ahead and to play again with my old fellows. We have got a lot of success together,” Pandya added.

Hardik also gave a sneak-peek into his captaincy style and said his focus is on controlling the controllables. “You should focus on the process. I can’t win the IPL tomorrow. It can only happen a couple of months down the line. What we can focus on in those couple of months is how we prepare, how we take care of each other, and how we make sure we know each other and out. The only thing we can promise is that we will play a brand of cricket that everyone will enjoy,” he explained.

Mumbai Indians’ head coach, Mark Boucher, said he was keen on seeing how the intra squad warm-up games pan out. “We are in a good space at the moment. We have a big squad. We’ll be playing our first warm up game today (Monday). I’m looking forward to a couple of players putting their hands up for selection,” Boucher said.

The former South African wicket-keeper said the team is looking like a well-oiled machine and added that the new additions are exciting to look out for. “We have got new international players. They are very energetic, which is always good. We had a pretty good season. We are in a pretty good space at the moment,” Boucher said.

The 17th season of the IPL commences on March 22 and Mumbai Indians play their first game against Gujarat Titans on March 24.