IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions are ready to take on KKR in their first clash of IPL 2026 season. KKR’s captain Ajinkya Rahane is a local Mumbai cricketer, which adds extra spice to the game. Hardik Pandya’s still at the helm for Mumbai, trying to break the streak of bad luck that started when he took over in 2024. Honestly, the team hasn’t looked great since he became captain. But now, Hardik’s got his eyes on title number six.
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene thinks having both Rohit Sharma, who led India to a T20 World Cup win in 2024 and Suryakumar Yadav, who did the same in 2026 gives Hardik a serious advantage. Their experience could help steer the team in the right direction.
Mahela Jayawardene said, “We are very proud of the core group that we’ve built over many years. And the contribution that Ro [Rohit] brings in, what Surya brings in and every other cricketer brings in, it’s massive and Hardik is enjoying that. He’s [Pandya] quite open to getting those ideas and getting that help out there. Especially with him being an all-rounder, because he’s been bowling and doing stuff as well. So, he needs that help on the field. Having them (Rohit and Suryakumar) on the field, it’s a massive, massive plus. Not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
Mahela also pointed out that Hardik’s role as an all-rounder makes the support even more valuable. According to him, being an all-rounder, Hardik needs that help on the field. He believes having Rohit and Surya on the field is a massive plus for the Mumbai captain. These two guys helps not just on the field, but off the field as well. Mahela stressed that to have that kind of experience in the Mumbai camp is a massive plus.
