The five-time champions endured a difficult season, managing to win only three matches so far, with Hardik’s captaincy coming under heavy scrutiny.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has called on the Mumbai Indians management to make a major leadership change after the franchise’s disappointing campaign in the ongoing IPL 2026. Following MI’s elimination from the playoffs race after a heartbreaking last-ball defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Manjrekar suggested that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah should replace Hardik Pandya as captain.
The five-time champions endured a difficult season, managing to win only three matches so far, with Hardik’s captaincy coming under heavy scrutiny. Now, the former Mumbai batter Manjrekar praised Bumrah’s cricketing intelligence and backed him as a potential leader for both franchise and country.
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“I’d like to see Bumrah captain India, because I don’t think anyone sees the game as well as he does. What he does with his bowling is not just about the action, it’s also about anticipation, reading the batter, reading the situation and understanding pitches. I’m just a little disappointed that he doesn’t seem interested in being captain in England. He didn’t captain when Shubman Gill was made captain. But hopefully, at least in the Indian Premier League, he should get that shot,” he said in conversation with Sportstar.
Manjrekar further opined that MI should have tried to bring in Ashish Nehra alongside Hardik when they secured the all-rounder from Gujarat Titans. Hardik and Nehra previously enjoyed tremendous success together, guiding Gujarat to an IPL title during their time at the franchise.
“You actually caught what I was hinting at, because I think they might have to look beyond Hardik Pandya. Yeah, because that move certainly hasn’t worked. It’s not fair to Hardik as well. It’s like a package deal. You know, if Hardik was going to come to Mumbai, then they should have got Ashish Nehra as well with him. But Ashish won’t be with him,” he continued.
Manjrekar also believes that leading an IPL side would not put as much pressure on Bumrah compared to handling India’s Test captaincy responsibilities.
“I’d really like to see Bumrah being given a shot because that is not as much of a burden on him as being a Test captain, where he has to stay fit and ready for every Test match,” he concluded.
In the ongoing season, Suryakumar Yadav has led the Mumbai-based franchise in absence of their regular captain Hardik Pandya.
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