"He'll captain now": Ex-RCB batter drops bombshell on Mumbai Indians' captaincy change before IPL 2026

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world's largest T20 franchise league and the oldest-running franchise league in world cricket. The IPL will be entering its 19th edition as it is set to begin from March 28, with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

Ahead of the first game, the teams are having their final practice. The Mumbai Indians (MI) are also gearing up for the tournament, as the following day they will be taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wakhede Stadium, Mumbai. MI were knocked out of the tournament after losing to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2.

Captaincy change in the Mumbai Indians team?

Ahead of the next season, former RCB batter Mohammad Kaif believes that the Mumbai Indians should not change their captain in the new season. Kaif feels that the captaincy should not be given to India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Many cricketing experts and fans stated that there should be a captaincy change in the franchise after SKY won the World Cup.

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Kaif said that MI previously forced Rohit Sharma to step down from captaincy despite winning five IPL trophies as captain with the franchise, to make Hardik Pandya the captain, whom the management traded from the Gujarat Titans (GT). The former DC coach also suggested the management should not treat Pandya after Suryakumar Yadav won the T20 World Cup with India.

I don't think that Mumbai Indians should- Mohammad Kaif

Kaif said, in a YouTube video, "I don't think that Mumbai Indians should make the same mistake again. They had a poor season after removing Rohit Sharma and bringing Hardik Pandya in. Hardik Pandya is settling in his role now. They played Qualifier 2 last year. So, Hardik Pandya did a good job as captain."

"Suryakumar Yadav is an option, but it should not happen like how they treated Rohit Sharma, saying now we have Hardik Pandya, who made Gujarat champions, so he will captain now. Hardik was the hot topic then, and they pushed him. Now Suryakumar Yadav is the hot topic. Next year, there will be someone else, so will you remove Surya?"

I hope Rohit Sharma is a little more consistent - Kaif on Rohit's consistency

Mohammad Kaif also mentioned Rohit Sharma to take more responsibility for his batting and be more consistent in the IPL. He took the example of Virat Kohli and wants Rohit to take accountability and play like the former in the rich cash league.

"I hope Rohit Sharma is a little more consistent this time. He plays match-winning knocks. He is the Man of the Match when he clicks. But he will have to do that consistently. He needs to show a glimpse of Virat Kohli, who backs his form in every match. That will be a challenge for Rohit Sharma."

The Mumbai Indians will look for a positive start in their IPL campaign and win the first game against KKR. The next game for MI will be against the Delhi Capitals (DC) away from home. Only 20 days of IPL games have been announced so far due to the Assembly Elections in India.

Also Read: "He wants Rohit Sharma": Ex-DC coach drops IPL 'winning formula' for MI and Hardik Pandya