Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Mumbai Indians can think of re-appointing Rohit Sharma on a short-term basis. Hardik Pandya has led MI in the last three seasons but the franchise has made it to the playoffs on a solitary occasion. Pandya hasn’t been able to lead from the front and there have been reports that he can be traded out by MI.
Chopra reckons Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav are two other leadership options for the five-time champions. SKY has the experience of leading India to the T20 World Cup glory in 2026.
In 2026, MI finished in ninth place in the IPL standings and they would aim to turn a corner in the next season.
“It’s interesting. For the short term, it is not a bad option. It won’t ruffle any feathers. If Hardik Pandya is going, let him go. You have three captaincy options, but the ready-made one is Rohit Sharma. The second is Suryakumar Yadav. The third is Tilak Varma. In my opinion, they have to choose one of the three,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra reckons Rohit will be reluctant to take back the captaincy onus ahead of the next season.
“Rohit Sharma will easily take you until the mega auction. One year – no problem. So you can go with him. However, would Rohit be ready? That’s a big question because many times when you take the captaincy away from a senior player, there is a slight reluctance to take the captaincy again. So I am not so sure,” he observed.
Rohit is the joint most successful IPL captain along with MS Dhoni in the history of the tournament, with five titles as a leader.
The renowned commentator reckons Suryakumar Yadav will be an investment for MI for the next two-three years.
“Suryakumar Yadav could be your investment for the next two or three years, that you go until the mega auction, and then he can manage the team until around the next auction after that. You are the T20 World Cup-winning captain. So they can go toward him,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer believes MI can opt for Tilak Varma if they want to have a long-term skipper.
“If they don’t want to think either short-term or mid-term and want to think long-term, they can go toward Tilak Varma. None of the three would be a backward step because it’s not about teams continuing for 15 years. You made the captain just now and are removing him after three years. It is what it is. It is professional. So I don’t think it’s a backward step,” Chopra observed.
MI would aim to deliver an improved show next season.
