Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, And...? List of Mumbai Indians' Captains In IPL

image-lrdecunkRohit Sharma (X.com)

Ever since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, there have been teams like Delhi Capitals, who changed their name from Daredevils to Capitals, Punjab Kings, who changed their name from Kings XI Punjab, but still never won the title. And then there are teams like the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR); these are the teams that have won the IPL titles on most occasions. 

These teams are successful not just because they stuck to their names; it's because of the players they assembled in the auction and, most importantly, the captains they have picked for their respective teams.

Gautam Gambhir was the most expensive player in the 2011 IPL auction, and it changed the fortunes of the Kolkata-based team. Gambhir led his team to a title win in the 2012 and 2014 editions of the IPL. Similarly, in 2013, Rohit Sharma was given the captaincy midway by the team management when Ricky Ponting stepped down. That move paid off handsomely, with Rohit not only winning the cup in 2013 but also in the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 editions of the cash-rich league. As many have said, captains play a significant role in the development of their team and in nurturing their players, which is crucial for the success of any team.

Talking about success, CSK is the most successful franchise in the history of the IPL. After winning the 2023 IPL, MS Dhoni became the most successful captain in the league’s history. But before 2023, it was the Mumbai Indians who won the five titles, with Rohit Sharma being the captain to have led his team to a title win on five different occasions. But who were the other ones to have led the Mumbai Indians? This question arises in the minds of many new-age IPL fans. In this listicle, we will list out the names of all the captains who have led the Mumbai-based franchise.

Following a groundbreaking trade agreement with the Gujarat Titans (GT), Hardik Pandya is poised to take on the captaincy for MI in the upcoming IPL 2024, taking over from Rohit after his remarkable decade-long leadership. As Hardik Pandya and his team prepare to compete for the trophy, let’s take a look back at the previous captains who have guided the Mumbai Indians’ journey.

Sachin Tendulkar

In the inaugural 2008 IPL season, Sachin Tendulkar assumed the captaincy for Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite boasting a roster with exceptional talent, the team faced challenges in finding their rhythm, finishing at the bottom of the points table. However, they showed improvement in 2009, securing the sixth position. The turning point came in 2010 when the Mumbai Indians, led by Tendulkar, hit their stride, winning the first five games and making it to the playoffs for the first time.

A standout performer with the bat, Tendulkar led the team to a playoff berth, although their campaign concluded with a loss to CSK, who secured their second title. Key contributions during Tendulkar's captaincy came from players like Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, and Ambati Rayudu. As Tendulkar neared the end of his career, Harbhajan Singh took over the captaincy, and in total, the Master Blaster led MI in 51 IPL games.


Harbhajan Singh 

Harbhajan Singh holds the distinction of being the first MI captain to have led his team on the field, shouldering leadership duties in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar and eventually succeeding him in 2011. While leading the team in the 2012 IPL Eliminator, Harbhajan handed over the captaincy before steering MI to their first trophy in the Champions League Twenty20. It's noteworthy that Harbhajan was the first captain to secure a trophy for MI. The Turbanator led the team in 20 IPL matches.


Shaun Pollock

During the inaugural season, an unfortunate incident unfolded when Harbhajan Singh was suspended for slapping S. Sreesanth in a match against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). In response, the Mumbai Indians appointed the ace South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock as their captain. Under Pollock's exceptional leadership, the team achieved victory in all six matches during his captaincy. However, when Sachin Tendulkar returned from injury, he resumed the captaincy responsibilities.


Dwayne Bravo

Bravo, often synonymous with CSK in the eyes of fans, had a different start in the IPL. From 2008 to 2010, the West Indies all-rounder donned the Mumbai Indians jersey during the league's initial three seasons. However, in IPL 2011, he made a significant switch, crossing over to join the rival squad, the Chennai Super Kings.

Notably, during the 2010 season, Dwayne Bravo had a unique opportunity to captain the Mumbai Indians in a single game in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar. This marked a historic moment, as Bravo became the first West Indian to lead a team in the IPL. Regrettably, he faced defeat in that particular match against KKR.


Ricky Ponting

In the IPL auction of 2013, Mumbai Indians secured the expertise of Ricky Ponting, the former captain of the Australian cricket team, by investing INR 2.12 crore. Contrary to earlier speculations hinting at Sachin Tendulkar potentially resuming captaincy, Ponting assumed leadership responsibilities and became the fifth captain for MI. However, his tenure at the helm was brief, culminating in a mid-season resignation in 2013. During his leadership, the team won three and lost three games.


Rohit Sharma

Amid the IPL 2013 season, the MI management made an important decision by appointing a young 25-year-old Mumbaikar as the captain, taking over from Ricky Ponting midway through the tournament. This strategic move proved to be a game-changer for the team, which had yet to secure an IPL trophy and was not considered a top contender for the title. 

However, under Rohit Sharma's leadership, MI clinched the title that season by defeating the Chennai Super Kings in the final. Rohit's tenure as captain was marked by numerous achievements, with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's farewell season adding a fairytale touch. This period heralded the beginning of the iconic gold and blue jersey era for the Mumbai Indians, with Rohit leading them to victory in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

Fast forward to 2024, and the captaincy baton has been handed over once again. Rohit Sharma's legacy as MI's captain is indelible, highlighted by the team's unprecedented success under his leadership.


Kieron Pollard 

A stalwart in the Mumbai Indians camp, Kieron Pollard has played a pivotal role in the team's triumphs over the years. Holding the record for being the most-capped foreign player for the franchise and trailing only Rohit Sharma in overall appearances, Pollard has been an integral part of MI's success. In the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, Pollard took on the leadership role during the IPL 2020 season. His captaincy stint, which began during the CLT20 2014, boasts an impressive success rate of around 80%. He has led MI to six IPL games.


Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav briefly took over the captaincy for one day during IPL 2023 when the full-time skipper Rohit Sharma was unwell. The prominent batter led the Men in Blue and Gold to a victory in that match against the Knight Riders.