Kris Srikkanth Questions Hardik Pandya's Captaincy Ahead of IPL 2026
Concerns Over Leadership in Mumbai Indians
As the 19th season of the Indian Premier League approaches, starting on March 28, former Indian opener and national selector Kris Srikkanth has expressed doubts regarding Hardik Pandya's role as captain. This concern arises despite the presence of two T20 World Cup-winning leaders in the squad: Rohit Sharma and the recently crowned champion Suryakumar Yadav.
The Mumbai Indians, known for their strong lineup featuring players like Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma alongside Rohit and Surya, have not claimed the IPL trophy since 2020, with their recent performances being inconsistent.
The topic of leadership remains a significant discussion point. Hardik returned to the Mumbai franchise in 2024 after a notable trade from the Gujarat Titans and took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. However, this decision faced backlash from some fans, and the team had a disappointing season, finishing last.
In 2025, the Mumbai Indians made a comeback, reaching the playoffs but were eliminated in Qualifier 2 by the Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer. Although this improvement indicated a return to form, leadership questions lingered.
Srikkanth suggested that the franchise management should consider appointing Surya as captain this season to potentially change their fortunes. He stated, “They need to collaborate with Rohit, Suryakumar, and Hardik to rectify the situation. They could trial Surya as captain without making an immediate announcement.”
While acknowledging Hardik's capabilities as a captain, Srikkanth pointed out the peculiar dynamics within the team. He remarked, “It's an unusual scenario. Hardik is a competent leader, yet he has two T20 World Cup-winning captains in his team. This indicates an internal issue that needs addressing. Surya seems like the logical choice from an outsider's perspective, but there may be franchise policies at play.”
Furthermore, Srikkanth proposed that Hardik should consider stepping down to allow Surya to take the helm. He noted, “It's a peculiar situation since Hardik has played under Rohit and Surya during India's World Cup victory. If Hardik were to suggest to the management that Surya should lead, it could resolve the matter. He could say, 'Let Surya take charge, and I will support him.' That could be a viable solution.”
The Mumbai Indians are set to kick off their IPL 2026 journey on March 29 against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium.