The former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel has narrated the incident when Rohit Sharma urged the franchise to retain Bumrah after IPL 2015.
Parthiv Patel recalls Rohit Sharma backing Bumrah and Pandya
Former India and Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel opened on Rohit Sharma‘s career-saving act of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah in the franchise.
Bumrah has been part of the MI since the 2013 season but his performance in the first three seasons was not up to the extent. The ace pacer picked only three wickets in four games.
However, Rohit’s decision to retain Bumrah with the franchise is one of the best decisions to be made.
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Mumbai Indians won five IPL titles where some of the best talents emerged for India. They also become the most important players in the Indian Cricket team.
“Rohit is always with the players and the biggest examples of it are Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Bumrah joined MI in 2014, but when he played his first season in 2015, it didn’t turn out that well.”
“MI had decided to drop Bumrah midway through the season but Rohit felt this is one solid player and that they should keep him. And you saw how from 2016, Bumrah’s performance reached the next level,” said Parthiv Patel.
Jasprit Bumrah was the major contributor to the last three victories in 2017, 2019, and 2020 for the franchise. He bagged 66 wickets in 47 outings in those seasons.
He also mentioned how Rohit Sharma backed Hardik Pandya after his weak performance in 2015 and 2016.
“Same with Hardik Pandya. When he joined in 2015, he became quite the rage but in 2016 he had a bad season.
“The thing is when you’re an uncapped player, franchises release you quickly and then assess how a player is performing in Ranji Trophy or other domestic matches before maybe taking them back.”
But Rohit did not let it happen. That’s why these guys went on to become the players that they did,” added Parthiv.
However, Hardik Pandya was named as the Mumbai Indians captain after he returned to the home franchise in a transfer deal.
He was released by the franchise during IPL 2022 season where he joined Gujarat Titans helping the side to reach finals in both seasons they played and had one IPL title in the inaugural season of the franchise.
Coming to the upcoming tournament, CSK and RCB will be playing in the first match of the IPL 2024 schedule at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
Mumbai will be playing their first match of the campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24 at Narendra Modi Stadium.
