Hardik Pandya with teammate Suryakumar Yadav (PTI Photo)

Mumbai Indians will once again head into the Indian Premier League 2026 season as one of the strongest contenders on paper, boasting a star-studded lineup featuring Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma. Despite their formidable squad, the five-time champions have not lifted the trophy since their last triumph in 2020.The franchise underwent a major shift in 2024 when Hardik Pandya returned from Gujarat Titans and took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. The transition did not go smoothly, with fan backlash and on-field struggles culminating in a last-place finish that season. The following year saw improvement, as Mumbai reached the playoffs, but their campaign ended in Qualifier 2 with a defeat to Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer.Ahead of the 2026 season, former India selector Kris Srikkanth has weighed in on the leadership debate, suggesting a potential shift in captaincy. He believes that Suryakumar Yadav, fresh from leading India to T20 World Cup success, could be given the reins to see if it changes the team’s fortunes.“They have to come together again, the franchise owners and the team management with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, and set this right again. They should ask Surya to lead this year to see if there is a change of luck. They can always appoint Surya as the captain anytime. They don’t need to announce it right now,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.He further highlighted the unusual dynamic within the squad, pointing out that multiple World Cup-winning leaders are currently playing under Hardik.“It’s a funny situation. Hardik Pandya is a good captain. But, yes, they have two T20 World Cup-winning captains playing under him now. It’s some internal policy within their setup that they have to sort out. From the outside, the obvious choice should be Suryakumar Yadav. But this might be a franchise policy,” he added.Describing it as a “strange situation”, Srikkanth suggested that clarity could emerge if Hardik himself opts to step aside.“It’s a strange situation, as Hardik played under Rohit and Surya to help India win the World Cup. Otherwise, Hardik should himself say no to captaincy and allow Surya to lead. If Hardik himself says this to the management, things will get resolved. He should say, ‘Let Surya lead and I’ll support’. That’s one way of solving it,” said Srikkanth.Mumbai Indians will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 29, facing Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India’s Abhishek Sharma (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth launched a scathing attack on the Indian batting unit following their crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash in Ahmedabad.Chasing 188, India imploded spectacularly and were bundled out for 111 in the 19th over. The collapse was triggered early when in-form opener Ishan Kishan perished for a four-ball duck in the very first over, falling to the part-time off-spin of Aiden Markram.

Reacting to the reckless start, Srikkanth did not mince his words while speaking on his YouTube channel.“Ishan Kishan was almost caught at mid-on the previous delivery, yet he is slogging the next ball. Was it necessary to slog the next delivery? Rinku Singh only scores single digits wherever he comes to bat. It’s easy to play in bilateral series compared to ICC events. The batters will now second-guess their approach going forward. Abhishek Sharma already went from striker to non-striker in this match.”The former opener also questioned the team’s batting order, pointing fingers at Suryakumar Yadav for not taking more responsibility.“Suryakumar Yadav made a big mistake. He should have come in at No.3. He only said all the spots except the openers are flexible. This left-right combination is all rubbish. It’s what led to Hardik Pandya coming at 7. Only playing good cricket and your mentality matters.”Suryakumar walked in at No.4 with India tottering at 5/2 and managed just 18 off 22 deliveries. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was surprisingly pushed down to No.7, where he scored 18 from 17 balls.Srikkanth was particularly furious about the decision to send Washington Sundar ahead of established finishers when India were 26/3 in the fifth over. Sundar, promoted to No.5, made a laboured 11 off 11 balls as the chase slipped further away.“It was absolutely ridiculous. India were humiliated today on all fronts. It’s what we usually do to opponents, but the roles were reversed today. Hardik Pandya has done well in pressure situations at 5. He should have come in at No.5. Instead, they sent him at 7, which was totally unfair. Hardik Pandya coming in at No.7 was ridiculous decision-making,” said Srikkanth.He warned that the fallout from such a heavy defeat could linger.“The Indian batters’ mindsets will become further negative. India’s batting throughout the tournament has not been consistent. It’s just been bailed out by one or two players and even that went for a toss this match. Dube hit some sixes at the end, but it was all empty calories after the game was already over.”Apart from Shivam Dube’s 42, none of the Indian batters managed to cross 20, marking one of their most disappointing batting performances in recent memory and leaving their Super Eight campaign hanging in the balance.

India’s Varun Chakravarthy (AP Photo)

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has backed Varun Chakravarthy as India’s most dangerous weapon at the moment, even suggesting that the mystery spinner is proving more lethal than Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Srikkanth also expressed surprise that Varun is not receiving the recognition he deserves.Varun has been in exceptional form, claiming nine wickets in four matches at an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16. In India’s game against the Netherlands, he returned outstanding figures of three for 14 from three overs.

Interestingly, in the 21 matches where Varun and Bumrah have featured together, the spinner leads the wicket tally 30-22. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said that batters are still unable to decipher Varun’s variations.“Look at the pitch maps — most of his deliveries are around off-stump and middle-stump. Against right-handers, the ball just angles in slightly and then turns. His googly comes in sharply. Most of his wickets are from good length or just short of good length. Not even full deliveries. Even his so-called short balls are deceptive.”“People don’t know what he’s bowling. Is it a googly? Is it the straight one? Is it slower? Is it quicker? No one knows. Suddenly he bowls one faster. Then he changes speed again. Multiple speeds. Long run-up, relaxed action — but incredibly deceptive.”“Frankly speaking, he doesn’t get enough credit. Bumrah is fantastic. You won’t easily find a bowler like Bumrah,” said Srikkanth.Although Shivam Dube was named Player of the Match against the Netherlands, Srikkanth felt Varun was equally deserving.“Today, yes, Shivam Dube played a blinder and deserved Man of the Match. I’m not denying that. But if you look at Varun’s figures — three wickets for very few runs, all top-order wickets — why wasn’t he even considered a contender for Man of the Match? No one even thought about it,” he said.Since making a comeback after an underwhelming start to his international career, Varun has taken 47 wickets in 27 matches across 2024 and 2025. In 2026 alone, he already has 13 wickets from seven games. Srikkanth believes that if India lift the trophy, Varun could well be Player of the Tournament.“Hundred percent (he can be the Player Of The Tournament). Because of consistency. In every match he plays, even on a bad day, he gives away only 34 or 35 runs. For a spinner, four overs for 36 runs is absolutely acceptable in T20 cricket. But within that, he still takes one or two wickets.”“He’s casually delivering match-winning performances. But he’s not celebrated enough,” said Srikkanth.The former chief selector went a step further, calling Varun a modern-day great in the format and comparing his current impact to what Bumrah delivered in T20Is a few years ago.“Varun, you are a modern-day great. I’m telling you honestly from my heart — not because you’re Tamil, not because you’re from Tamil Nadu or Chennai. No. Purely because of ability. Every batter is struggling. They don’t know how to face him. They don’t know whether to defend. They don’t know whether to attack. They don’t know what to do against him.”“That’s exactly what Bumrah used to be a couple of years ago. Bumrah is still doing brilliantly,” said Srikkanth.Varun will next feature in India’s Super 8 encounter against South Africa on Sunday, February 22.