'I find it quite strange': De Villiers makes feelings clear on Hardik replacing Rohit as MI captain

IPL 2024: After the Mumbai Indians announced Hardik Pandya as the team's captain, AB de Villiers was taken aback by the critical feedback the former Gujarat Titans skipper has received. AB de Villiers stated that the return of Hardik to the Mumbai team should cheer the supporters, not engage in negative feedback. 

3 things you need to know

• MI announced Hardik Pandya as their captain for IPL 2024
• MI received a lot of backlash after Rohit Sharma was replaced
• Pandya was traded back from Gujarat Titans  

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MI received a lot of criticism after announcing Hardik Pandya as their captain 

Hardik Pandya has been selected as the captain of the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming Indian Premier League. In an all-cash deal, MI acquired Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans. However, the supporters' reaction to the Hardik trade and the ensuing captaincy selection has not been kind.

The Mumbai Indians lost 500,000 followers on Twitter within an hour of the announcement, and many fans voiced their disapproval. Former cricket player AB de Villiers expressed his disbelief at the news and remarked that Pandya's comeback to the team should cheer supporters on.

Also Read: 'He did everything for Mumbai': Ex-India star reacts to big controversy over Rohit Sharma's sacking

AB de Villiers surprised to see the negative reactions 

"To be fair to Hardik, he was also a Mumbai boy by for a long time. He was always Mumbai boy from the start of his IPL career. He was with him when they lifted some trophies. I get your point that Surya and Bumrah sort of stayed loyal to the brand when Hardik decided to move on, if you wanna say that. But he's back," AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

"And I think I find it quite strange that the reaction was pretty negative. I have been reading posts that said Mumbai Indians social platform lost like 1 million followers and people are upset," he further added.

After leaving the Mumbai Indians, Pandya joined the Gujarat Titans, where he performed incredibly well. In the 2022 Indian Premier League final, which saw Gujarat Titans defeat Rajasthan Royals, Pandya was awarded player of the match. Pandya guided his club to the 2023 season final, but they were defeated in a thrilling final-ball match by MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings. De Villiers urged the supporters to encourage Hardik rather than criticize him.

"You should be happy about him coming back. I know he played two IPL seasons at the Gujarat Titans and won a trophy. They made the final in another. And now he wants to come back as a more experienced player, a more experienced captain. So I think you guys (fans) give him a bit of a boost, welcome him back in the Mumbai Indians camp. I'm pretty sure if he lifts a trophy with the rest of the team, you guys are not gonna have a problem with that," concluded the legendary batter.