Former India captain and former chairman of selectors, Kris Srikkanth, has urged Hardik Pandya to step down as captain and urged Mumbai Indians to name T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav as their captain for the 2026 IPL season. Srikkanth said he believed any potential power struggle in the Mumbai Indians camp could be resolved if Suryakumar, fresh from victory in the World Cup, will take over the leadership of the group.
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Hardik Pandya has been leading Mumbai Indians since his sensational move from Gujarat Titans in 2024. He replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of the five-time champions, a decision that was not unanimously accepted by the franchise’s massive fan base. In his first season as captain Hardik was booed by sections of the home crowd at the Wankhede Stadiumwith many fans feeling that Rohit deserves to continue in charge.
While major changes in the squad were expected during the pre-IPL 2025 mega auction, Mumbai Indians have managed to retain their core. However, the results did not go well for them. After finishing 10th in 2024, MI sneaked into the playoffs last year but crashed out in the Eliminator.
While Hardik has proved his mettle as a captain in the IPL, Srikkanth believes that Suryakumar, who is enjoying a winning run, is the ideal man to lead Mumbai in IPL 2026, starting from March 28. | IPL 2026 Schedule |
“It’s a funny situation. Two or three weeks ago, Suryakumar Yadav won the World Cup as India’s captain. Two years ago, Rohit Sharma won it as captain. I personally like Hardik Pandya a lot. He’s a fantastic cricketer, a fantastic person. He’s also a very good captain. He won the title for Gujarat Titans. But this is from the outside, I think it’s a clear choice. It seems like it’s Suryakumar Yadav, he’s on a winning streak,” Srikkanth said in his of the YouTube show Cheeky Cheek.
“They have to meet, meet again – the team owners, the top management have to meet Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik and say ‘Surya, you are leading this year’. We will have to wait and see.”
“They can make Surya captain anytime, it’s not necessary, they have to do it now.
“It’s funny because the same Hardik played under Rohit and won the T20 World Cup for India. He did the same under Suryakumar this year.”
“Hardik Pandya should go ahead and say ‘I’m stepping aside. Let Surya himself lead. He was the T20 World Cup winning captain’. So if Hardik himself says it, things will be resolved. I think it’s Hardik who has to say it.”
“If at all there is a problem in the leadership group, the best solution would be for Hardik to raise his hand and say ‘Let Surya lead’.”
Mumbai Indians will be keen to get off to a flying start to the IPL 2026 season. Perpetual slow starters, Mumbai have paid the price for not securing enough wins at the start of their last two seasons.
While Hardik, Suryakumar and Rohit will be key parts of their leadership group, all eyes will be on Rohit, the player. After working hard on his fitness last year and excelling in ODIs, the only format he continues to play in international cricket, Rohit will be looking to make his mark with the bat for MI. He is also unlikely to be limited to Impact Player roles as match practice, both with the bat and in the field, will be key to his ambitions to continue in international cricket and be part of the 2027 World Cup.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
23 March 2026 15:01 IST
