'Don't repeat Rohit mistake': Ex-cricketer urges MI to stick with Hardik amid Surya captaincy noise

With captaincy speech returning astir Mumbai Indians up of IPL 2026, erstwhile India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has backed Hardik Pandya to proceed arsenic leader, urging the franchise to debar different alteration astatine the top.Mumbai Indians person respective experienced players successful the dressing room, including

Rohit Sharma

and

Suryakumar Yadav

, some of whom person led India successful T20 cricket. A mates of seasons ago, the franchise replaced Rohit with Hardik arsenic captain, ending a tenure that brought 5 IPL titles.

The determination drew reactions from sections of fans, particularly with Hardik moving from Gujarat Titans and taking complaint immediately.

Despite that, the squad reached the playoffs past season.With Suryakumar having precocious led India to a T20 World Cup title, determination has been treatment astir his enactment role, with immoderate suggesting a imaginable alteration successful captaincy astatine Mumbai Indians.Kaif, however, said the squad should proceed with Hardik, pointing to the advancement made nether him past season.

"I don't deliberation that Mumbai Indians should marque the aforesaid mistake again. They had a mediocre play aft removing Rohit Sharma and bringing Hardik Pandya in. Hardik Pandya is settling successful his relation now. They played Qualifier 2 past year. So, Hardik Pandya did a bully occupation arsenic captain," Kaif said connected his YouTube channel.He besides warned against predominant enactment changes based connected trends, referring to the earlier displacement from Rohit to Hardik and the existent treatment astir Suryakumar.

"Suryakumar Yadav is an option, but it should not hap similar however they treated Rohit Sharma, saying present we person Hardik Pandya, who made Gujarat champions, truthful helium volition skipper now. Hardik was the blistery taxable then, and they pushed him. Now Suryakumar Yadav is the blistery topic. Next year, determination volition beryllium idiosyncratic else, truthful volition you region Surya?" helium added.Mumbai Indians volition statesman their IPL 2026 run against Kolkata Knight Riders astatine location connected March 29.