Are Mumbai Indians doing right by giving captaincy again to Rohit Sharma?

Several reports have claimed that Rohit Sharma will become MI captain again in IPL 2027.

Indian cricket veteran Rohit Sharma is set to take over as the Mumbai Indians’s skipper from IPL 2027, replacing Hardik Pandya. Sharma captained the side for a decade, from 2013 to 2023, before eventually being replaced by the Indian all-rounder.

According to a recent report by ESPNcricinfo, Hardik Pandya will be joining the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on a trade deal. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh will join Mumbai Indies in exchange for the all-rounder.

Speculation about Hardik Pandya’s future has been ongoing since the end of the last edition of the Indian Premier League, in which Mumbai Indians finished ninth. However, the speculation is finally coming to an end, and the five-time champions have been quick to move forward, as they have already named their new skipper.

However, have they made the correct choice by picking Rohit Sharma as the side’s captain again?

Are Mumbai Indians doing right by making Rohit Sharma captain again?

Mumbai Indians’ decision to reappoint Rohit Sharma as their captain could prove to be a great one; however, it could also backfire, as the five-time champions are currently going through a tough transition phase. Rohit Sharma is the most successful captain in the history of the competition, having won five titles, and will certainly bring a lot of experience to the table.

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy was stripped in 2024 and handed to Hardik Pandya when the latter returned to the five-time IPL champions from the Gujarat Titans. However, the veteran Indian batter is set to return as MI’s captain after the team struggled in subsequent campaigns.

Rohit will be responsible for stabilising the dressing room, and it will be easier for him than for any other player because the 39-year-old is undoubtedly the most respected figure in Mumbai’s squad. Additionally, a couple of more stable years will give younger leadership options time to understand the team’s dynamics before taking over the permanent role.

The same thing could also backfire, as the Mumbai Indians’ long-term future currently looks rickety, while other senior players would also not enjoy the 39-year-old being reappointed as the skipper instead of them.

The other options MI had to give the captaincy were reportedly Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma. However, Bumrah has been significantly injury-prone, while Suryakumar Yadav’s batting woes have consistently followed him this year, from the T20 World Cup to the Indian Premier League. On the other hand, Varma is still considered too young to take over the side as a captain.

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