Mumbai Indians lose around 1.5 lakh Instagram followers after sudden removal of Rohit Sharma as captain

Digital Desk: The Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have seen a significant decrease in their social media following Rohit Sharma's sudden removal from the captaincy. Sharma, an iconic leader, had steered the team to glory in 158 matches with an impressive 56.33% win rate during his tenure from 2013 to 2023.

The decision to replace Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain sent shockwaves through the fan base. This unexpected move led to a staggering loss of around 1.5 lakh Instagram followers within hours of the announcement, reflecting the passionate support Sharma had garnered. Fans expressed their disappointment and solidarity with the ousted captain through social media, utilizing hashtags like #RohitSharma to showcase their allegiance.

Rohit Sharma's legacy, marked by five IPL titles, was a testament to his exceptional leadership. The timing and manner of his removal raised questions among supporters, who felt a deep emotional attachment to the player.

Mahela Jayawardene, the global head of performance for Mumbai Indians, expressed gratitude for Sharma's decade-long leadership, acknowledging his role in making the team one of the most successful in IPL history. Despite this, the franchise aimed to be future-ready with Hardik Pandya as the new captain.

Beyond the realm of social media, the repercussions extended to the IPL team rankings. Mumbai Indians' arch-rivals, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), capitalized on the situation, emerging as the most-followed IPL team on Instagram with 13 million followers. This shift underscored the broader impact of Sharma's removal on the league's dynamics.

Notably, Mumbai Indians' decision to replace Rohit Sharma as captain had profound consequences, not only in terms of team dynamics but also reflected in a substantial loss of social media following and a notable shift in IPL team rankings.