Mahela Jayawardene drops shocking explanation about replacing Rohit Sharma as captain

Mumbai Indians (MI) has already announced their captain Hardik Pandya and since then the fans have been divided as they are agitated about the fact of removing Rohit Sharma from the captaincy of the franchise. The fans in rage have burnt the jersey of the five-time champions. They believe that Hardik should have not been appointed as the captain as Rohit has been the most successful captain giving them their glorious year in the toughest T20 league of the world. 

Now, Head of Cricket and former coach, Mahela Jayawardene said on Tuesday that Rohit is a crucial member of the team in terms of guiding the next generation of players at the franchise. The former Sri Lanka skipper believes that it was tough to replace the batter as a captain. He has been the greatest white-ball opener and captain of this generation and under him, the team won their first title in 2013 as well. 

Hardik was brought back to the side on the condition of leading the side. The star all-rounder was with Gujarat Titans (GT) and was traded back with an all-cash deal of 15 crore INR. The 30-year-old won the title with the GT in his first year with them and led them to the final in the previous edition as well. 

This is something we have spoken about as a franchise: Mahela Jayawardene

Jayawardene told JioCinema, "(long-term plan) This is something we have spoken about as a franchise. It is a tough decision, we had to make them. It is emotional, it is tough, to be honest. But everyone who has been part of Mumbai knows we cherish every moment a player has contributed and will contribute going forward."

"The legacy is something we want to build on and make sure we keep fighting for those wins, those trophies. As a good unit, we have the skill set to do it. That's the focus going ahead. Probably everyone in their eyes will think it is too soon, but it is a decision we had to make at some point."