Hardik Pandya removed as Mumbai Indians captain, but Rishabh Pant retained by Virender Sehwag
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The Aftermath of IPL 2026: A Leadership Shake-up
The conclusion of the IPL 2026 group stage has left several franchises at a crossroads. As the dust settles on a tournament that saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals storm into the playoffs, the bottom-placed teams are left to grapple with the bitter taste of early elimination. Among the loudest voices offering solutions is former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, whose recent analysis on Cricbuzz has sparked intense debate regarding the future of several high-profile captains.
The Sehwag Verdict on Lucknow and Mumbai
Perhaps the most controversial talking point following the season is the fate of the leadership roles at Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians. When discussing the struggling Lucknow side, Hardik Pandya removed as Mumbai Indians captain, but Rishabh Pant retained by Virender Sehwag marks the core of the expert’s stance. Despite a lackluster season where Lucknow finished at the bottom of the table with only four victories, Sehwag remains surprisingly optimistic about the current leadership. When asked about Pant’s future, Sehwag kept his counsel brief but firm, stating, “50-50 hai but keep,” suggesting that the franchise should show patience and stick with their current skipper.
Rishabh Pant faced immense scrutiny throughout the season, managing only 312 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28.36. While his strike rate of 138.05 was respectable, the team’s failure to convert potential into points has naturally invited criticism. However, Sehwag’s backing provides a lifeline for the wicketkeeper-batter, suggesting a belief in his long-term project at the helm.
In sharp contrast, Sehwag’s prognosis for Mumbai Indians is severe. He firmly advocates for a change in leadership, suggesting that the franchise should look beyond Hardik Pandya after another disappointing campaign. Furthermore, Sehwag extended his call for change to Kolkata Knight Riders, recommending that Ajinkya Rahane be replaced as the team’s captain.
Stability for Successful Franchises
While Sehwag was critical of specific leadership setups, he was equally vocal about rewarding those who steered their teams to success. He offered full support for Pat Cummins to continue at the helm of Sunrisers Hyderabad, citing the team’s impressive top-three finish and tactical dominance throughout the campaign. Similarly, the consistency shown by Royal Challengers Bengaluru under Rajat Patidar earned him a vote of confidence, especially after the team finished at the top of the points table with nine dominant league wins.
The Gujarat Titans, who secured a strong second-place finish, also have Sehwag’s backing for Shubman Gill to remain in the hot seat. The former opener sees the stability within these successful units as a blueprint for long-term championship contention.
Mixed Reviews for the Mid-Table
The landscape for other teams remains complex. Shreyas Iyer, who led Punjab Kings to a promising start—winning their first seven matches before a six-game skid saw them miss the playoffs—is still viewed by Sehwag as the right man to lead. Meanwhile, despite Chennai Super Kings finishing a disappointing eighth, Sehwag believes the management must continue to build around Ruturaj Gaikwad, viewing the young opener as the future of the organization.
Axar Patel, who captained Delhi Capitals to a sixth-place finish, also received an endorsement to continue his leadership duties. However, the most surprising recommendation involved the Rajasthan Royals. Despite their successful qualification for the playoffs and a fourth-place finish, Sehwag explicitly suggested that the franchise should look to remove Riyan Parag from the captaincy role, indicating that even playoff qualification does not always guarantee job security in the high-stakes world of the IPL.
As the franchises head into the off-season, the words of a cricket legend like Virender Sehwag will undoubtedly weigh heavily on the minds of team owners and management as they prepare for the next iteration of the tournament.