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Mumbai Indians (MI) are navigating a tumultuous phase in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign. With only one victory in their first five matches, the team’s leadership structure has come under intense scrutiny. A recent debate between former cricketers Ambati Rayudu and Sanjay Bangar has further ignited discussions about the roles of current captain Hardik Pandya and former skipper Rohit Sharma within the team.
Leadership transition: From Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya
In December 2023, Mumbai Indians announced a significant leadership change, appointing Pandya as captain, succeeding Rohit, who had led the team to five IPL titles since 2013. Mahela Jayawardene, MI’s global head of performance, emphasized the move as part of the franchise’s legacy-building and future-readiness strategy. He expressed gratitude to Rohit for his exceptional leadership and welcomed Pandya as the new captain, highlighting the team’s philosophy of ensuring smooth transitions in leadership roles.
Sanjay Bangar raises concerns over impact of Rohit Sharma’s absence
During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo’s Timeout show, Bangar, former India batting coach, pointed out that Rohit’s limited on-field involvement might be tactically disadvantaging MI. He suggested that Rohit’s experience and instincts could provide valuable guidance to Pandya during critical moments. “I think the absence of Rohit on the field is affecting MI from a leadership standpoint. He could offer timely inputs to Hardik during crunch phases,“ Bangar stated.
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Ambati Rayudu differs from Bangar’s perspective
Rayudu, a six-time IPL champion, countered Bangar’s viewpoint by emphasizing the importance of allowing a captain to lead independently. He argued that constant advice from the sidelines could undermine a captain’s authority, stating, “A captain must be allowed to lead in his own way. Hardik doesn’t need someone in his ear all the time. Just like Rohit is left alone when he captains India, Hardik too deserves that space.“
The exchange intensified when Bangar questioned Rayudu’s understanding of leadership nuances, noting that Rayudu had never captained an IPL team. Rayudu responded firmly, asserting that while Rohit’s leadership legacy is undeniable, the current team dynamics necessitate respecting Pandya’s captaincy. “That may be, Sanjay Bhai, but Rohit is not the captain anymore. This is Hardik’s team now. Rohit’s inputs, if needed, can be passed on via the substitute or even a message. But tactically, it’s Hardik’s call now,“ He remarked.
Pandya’s captaincy and Rohit’s evolving role
Pandya’s tenure as MI captain has been challenging. In the 2024 season, MI finished at the bottom of the standings, leading to speculations about potential leadership changes. However, the franchise reaffirmed their commitment to Hardik, with coach Jayawardene stating, “Whatever happened last year is in the past. We believe in Hardik’s leadership and are confident he will guide the team to better performances.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Pandya’s individual performance has shown promise. In the 2024 season, he scored 216 runs at a strike rate of 143 and took 11 wickets, albeit with an economy rate of 10.75.
While Rohit is no longer the captain, his presence in the team remains significant. His extensive experience and tactical acumen are invaluable assets. However, integrating a former captain into a new leadership structure requires careful navigation to maintain team harmony and effectiveness.
