'You don't play...': Ex-India player questions MI's captaincy change

NEW DELHI: The impending start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season brings with it a significant change in leadership for the Mumbai Indians. The five-time champions will see

Hardik Pandya

taking over as skipper, while former captain

Rohit Sharma

transitions into a role solely as a batter. This shift in captaincy has ignited intense debate.
In a widely circulated video on social media, former Indian cricketer

Praveen Kumar

, who has previously played for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kings XI Punjab, was asked to weigh in on Mumbai Indians' decision to change captains.

Kumar expressed his concerns about the timing of Pandya's appointment, suggesting that the decision may have been rushed. He emphasized the importance of players prioritizing international and

domestic cricket

over franchise tournaments like the IPL.

"You don't play two months before, you get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things work," Kumar remarked, addressing the issue.

He went on to advise young players to strike a balance between their commitments to

international cricket

and participation in lucrative franchise leagues like the IPL. Kumar stressed the significance of representing one's country and state, cautioning against prioritizing financial gains over national and domestic cricket.

"I have been saying this for a long time. Paisa kamao, kaun mana kar raha hai? Paisa kamane chahiye lekin aise bhi nahi hona chahiye ki aap domestic nahi khel rahe, country ko importance nahi de rahe (Earn money, nobody is stopping you. But it should not be at the expense of domestic cricket and national duty )," Kumar said, highlighting the need for players to maintain a sense of balance in their careers.
As the IPL 2024 season approaches, Mumbai Indians' decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain continues to fuel discussions within the cricketing community. While opinions may vary, Kumar's remarks shed light on the broader debate surrounding player priorities and the role of franchise cricket in the modern game.