Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has known as on the Mumbai Indians administration to make a serious management change after the franchise’s disappointing marketing campaign within the ongoing IPL 2026. Following MI’s elimination from the playoffs race after a heartbreaking last-ball defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Manjrekar instructed that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah ought to exchange Hardik Pandya as captain.
The five-time champions endured a troublesome season, managing to win solely three matches thus far, with Hardik’s captaincy coming below heavy scrutiny. Now, the previous Mumbai batter Manjrekar praised Bumrah’s cricketing intelligence and backed him as a possible chief for each franchise and nation.
“I’d prefer to see Bumrah captain India, as a result of I don’t assume anybody sees the sport in addition to he does. What he does along with his bowling is not only in regards to the motion, it’s additionally about anticipation, studying the batter, studying the state of affairs and understanding pitches. I’m just a bit disillusioned that he doesn’t appear involved in being captain in England. He didn’t captain when Shubman Gill was made captain. However hopefully, at the least within the Indian Premier League, he ought to get that shot,” he stated in dialog with Sportstar.
Manjrekar additional opined that MI ought to have tried to usher in Ashish Nehra alongside Hardik once they secured the all-rounder from Gujarat Titans. Hardik and Nehra beforehand loved great success collectively, guiding Gujarat to an IPL title throughout their time on the franchise.
“You truly caught what I used to be hinting at, as a result of I feel they may should look past Hardik Pandya. Yeah, as a result of that transfer actually hasn’t labored. It’s not truthful to Hardik as nicely. It’s like a bundle deal. , if Hardik was going to return to Mumbai, then they need to have gotten Ashish Nehra as nicely with him. However Ashish gained’t be with him,” he continued.
Manjrekar additionally believes that main an IPL aspect wouldn’t put as a lot strain on Bumrah in comparison with dealing with India’s Check captaincy duties.
“I’d actually prefer to see Bumrah being given a shot as a result of that’s not as a lot of a burden on him as being a Check captain, the place he has to remain match and prepared for each Check match,” he concluded.
Within the ongoing season, Suryakumar Yadav has led the Mumbai-based franchise in absence of their common captain Hardik Pandya.
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