MUMBAI INDIANS FROM DOLDRUMS TO CLOUD NINE

During last year's edition of IPL, when Hardik Pandya was brought back into the Mumbai Indians fold and handed over the reins of Mumbai Indians, expectations ran high as Hardik was the most sought after leader at that point in time, coming on the back of a brilliant two-year stint as captain of Gujarat Titans.

- Anup V Menon

However, not even in his wildest of dreams, would he have thought that his "homecoming" would end up like that of a war chief being left alone in a battlefield to face the wrath of his own team's fans. Even if you were to say that Mumbai Indians management was right behind him offering all support, it was apparent that things were not hunky dory within the Mumbai Indians camp and that showed on the field.

The pain was very evident and all the brave faces that Hardik involuntarily put up didn't help one bit. I would say that the Mumbai management was also at fault for panning out the transition in such a detestable manner. Rohit was kept at bay regarding the change of guard and the fans did not approve of it either. Hardik had to bear the brunt of the fans through the entire season giving him no respite whatsoever. Fair enough to say that business interests should not have come at the cost of hurting the team's morale. They were left with no one else other than themselves to be blamed. There was no 'team' anymore and they had lost their way even before the event kicked off.