The 2024 season brought about a significant change and sparked controversy among fans when the former Gujarat Titans' captain assumed the captaincy reins from Rohit Sharma
Since the IPL's inception, Mumbai Indians (MI) have dominated the league, securing five trophies under Rohit Sharma's leadership. However, the 2024 season saw a controversial change as the former Gujarat Titans' captain, Hardik Pandya, took over as MI's captain. This shift sparked fan debate and marked a significant change in leadership dynamics. While Pandya's MI will hope to turn the tides in their favour, let us explore the nine captains who led the team over the years.
In the early days of the IPL, Harbhajan Singh was instrumental in captaining the Mumbai Indians. Stepping in for Sachin Tendulkar, he captained the team in their inaugural IPL match in 2008 and later led them to their first trophy in the 2011 Champions League. His successful stints as a stand-in captain earned him the permanent captaincy for the IPL 2012 season. Under his leadership, Mumbai Indians won 14 out of 30 matches.
Shaun Pollock, the iconic South African all-rounder, assumed the captaincy for Mumbai Indians during the 2008 IPL season in the absence of regular captain Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, who was serving a suspension due to the infamous slap gate incident involving Sreesanth. Leading the team in four matches, he achieved the milestone of securing the team's first-ever victory as captain. He demonstrated resilience, with the team losing only one game during his tenure.
Sachin Tendulkar, the Master Blaster, is the first permanent captain of the Mumbai Indians. He led the team from 2008 to 2011 and lasted four seasons of the IPL. During his tenure, the team won 32 out of 55 matches he captained and notably reached its first IPL final in 2010.
Dwayne Bravo, the IPL legend known for his all-round prowess, was part of the MI squad in the first three seasons of the IPL from 2008 to 2010. While primarily a key player in the team, Bravo also assumed the role of captain for one match during the 2010 season. In that match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), MI rested several senior players as they had already secured a spot in the semi-finals. Despite his efforts, Mumbai Indians couldn't win that fixture.
Ricky Ponting, the two-time World Cup-winning captain from Australia, assumed leadership of the MI ahead of the 2013 IPL season. Despite his esteemed cricketing career, Ponting faced challenges as MI won only three out of six matches under his captaincy.
Rohit Sharma, fondly known as the "Hitman," assumed the leadership role for the MI mid-season in 2013 and oversaw the franchise for an illustrious decade. During Rohit's tenure as captain, Mumbai achieved an unprecedented feat by winning all five games they played, including the Champions League in 2013. Throughout his captaincy journey, Rohit led the MI in 163 matches, and the team triumphed in 91 games.
Kieron Pollard, the vice-captain of Mumbai Indians during Rohit Sharma's reign, displayed leadership qualities in multiple instances. Leading the team in Rohit's absence, notably during the 2014 Champions League and in various matches during the 2020 and 2021 IPL seasons, Pollard secured victories in 5 out of 9 games.
SKY assumed the captaincy for MI for one match instead of the regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who played as an impact player due to his illness against the KKR during the 2023 IPL season. Leading with composure and tactical acumen, SKY inspired Mumbai Indians to a memorable victory.
In the 2024 IPL season, Hardik Pandya assumed the role of MI's ninth and fourth permanent captain. With MI winning only three games out of eight so far, hopes are high for a resurgence under Pandya's leadership. However, given the top four teams' performance, MI will unlikely reach the playoffs.
