Rohit Sharma to join CSK next season? Michael Vaughan answers

Veteran commentator Michael Vaughan has made a bold prediction for swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma. The former England captain feels Rohit Sharma will move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) next year and replace former CSK captain MS Dhoni. Notably, the transfer rumours for Rohit Sharma have been doing the rounds in IPL 2024 as well.

However, the Mumbai Indians captain was replaced from his captaincy before IPL 2024. Hardik Pandya, who returned to Mumbai Indians from his former franchise Gujarat Titans, and appointed as the captain for the 2024 season as well. It is also noteworthy that, Rohit Sharma led the side successfully since the 2013 season and won five titles as well.

Meanwhile, the move did not go down well with the MI fans, who slammed the franchise for removing Sharma from the captaincy. Fans also slammed the franchise in some of their initial games and booed Hardik Pandya inside the stadiums also.

I see Rohit Sharma in CSK next year: Michael Vaughan

However, during a podcast on Beer Biceps, former England all-rounder Michael Vaughan predicted that Rohit Sharma might move to CSK next year and lead the side as well.

“Will he (Rohit Sharma) go to Chennai? Replace Dhoni? Gaikwad is doing it (the captaincy) this year, and it might be just holding position for Rohit next year. I see him in Chennai,” Vaughan said.

To this, the host Ranveer Allahbadia said that it would be heartbreaking for Mumbai Indians fans.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

“That’d be heartbreaking, honestly. For MI fans, that’d be terrible. I wouldn’t mind him going to (Sunrisers) Hyderabad; he played for Deccan Chargers, so that would be romantic,” he said.

However, Michael Vaughan then asked if Sharma would be booed in CSK and Ranveer replied with a firm no.

“Then, he’s playing for Chennai,” responded Vaughan, who is also the social media head for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.

Interestingly, this season might be the end for MS Dhoni in IPL as well. He has also handed over the captaincy to the young Ruturaj Gaikwad. Hence, Rohit Sharma can be a powerful captain for CSK as well.

MI should’ve kept Rohit Sharma as skipper in IPL 2024: Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan also feels that Mumbai Indians should have allowed Rohit Sharma to lead the side in IPL 2024 and nominated Hardik Pandya as the new skipper in the upcoming seasons as well.

“I personally would’ve captained Rohit. Hardik coming back to MI is big enough pressure in itself, and Rohit is obviously going to be the Indian T20 captain. The sensible move would’ve been for Rohit to carry as MI captain with Hardik in mind for next year or two,” Vaughan said.

“Hardik’s going through a difficult time, and it’s not his fault. He has been asked to captain Mumbai Indians; who is going to say no to that? He has been given a job that every single Indian cricketer would like to do. MI have had a tricky couple of years, I just believe the communication wasn’t right”, he concluded.