Reports: MI divided into two groups, owners backing captain Hardik Pandya

Since taking over the captaincy role from the five-time champion and star batter, Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians' fans have struggled to accept this decision. This was evident during the initial two matches of the ongoing IPL, where fans heavily booed Hardik Pandya and showed their unwavering support for Rohit Sharma.

Now a recent report by Dainik Jagran has shed light on internal dynamics within the Mumbai Indians team. It revealed the existence of two distinct factions: one led by Rohit Sharma, which includes players like Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Verma, and others; and another led by Hardik Pandya, with members such as Ishan Kishan and others. Additionally, the report highlights that Hardik Pandya has garnered support from the team owners, further indicating the division within the team.

As of now, Mumbai Indians have played two matches in the ongoing season, but unity within the team hasn't been evident. Hardik's captaincy has been criticized, notably for his decision to bowl the first over despite Jasprit Bumrah's presence and his inability to finish games against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Former Indian fast bowler Irfan Pathan also criticized Hardik's batting and captaincy, emphasizing the disparity between the team and captain's batting strike rates saying, "If the whole team is playing with the strike of 200, Captain can’t bat with the batting strike rate of 120."

Additionally, Pathan questioned Hardik's decision-making, particularly in keeping Bumrah out of crucial moments during the game. 

"The captaincy of Hardik Pandya has been ordinary to say the least. Keeping Bumrah away for too long when the carnage was on was beyond my understanding," Pathan had tweted.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how Hardik Pandya responds to the backlash from fans and critics. MI supporters are skeptical about his captaincy, and it will be crucial to observe how he rallies the team for the remainder of the season. MI's next match against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, will be a significant test for Hardik and the team as the huge MI fans are surely going to test Hardik's temperament and his mental toughness.