R Ashwin delivers huge verdict on Rohit Sharma being reappointed MI captain in IPL 2027
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin urged the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), to reappoint Rohit Sharma as captain for IPL 2027.
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin urged the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), to reappoint Rohit Sharma as captain for IPL 2027. The franchise has struggled to meet its high standards since it replaced Rohit with Hardik Pandya as skipper ahead of IPL 2024.
MI have missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons under Hardik, despite boasting arguably the strongest squad on paper. The ongoing off-season has been filled with speculation about MI and Hardik possibly parting ways and the franchise’s next captain.
Talking about MI's issues in recent seasons and the benefits of having Rohit as captain, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel (13:22):
"It's the last year of the mega auction cycle. They've really struggled the last two years without assembling the ideal team combination. They never played as a unit. Bumrah has had some injury issues. With all this, Rohit as captain, with Pollard becoming head coach, will be the right combination for the last season before the mega auction."
He added:
"It's astounding MI didn't qualify last season with the squad they have. MI should announce Rohit Sharma as the captain. Because he's the one who can be central and like a big brother who protects a family. So it'll be good for MI if he becomes captain."
Rohit captained MI from mid-2013 to 2023, leading them to all five IPL titles, including back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020.
"Rohit has an unbelievable human touch" - R Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Rohit Sharma’s ability to remain neutral toward every player on a team and hailed his leadership qualities. The veteran is the second-most successful IPL captain, behind only MS Dhoni, with 87 wins in 158 matches, including five titles.
"Rohit has an unbelievable human touch. It's very hard to be like that. If there are 20 players in your team, he'll treat 1 the same way as he treats 20. Whatever importance and affection he gives to X, he'll give to Z, A, L and M. He's a superb human and an incredible leader who's tactically astute," said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).
Ashwin played the final stages of his international career under Rohit and retired during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Rohit as skipper.
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