Hardik Pandya removed as Mumbai Indians captain, but Rishabh Pant retained by Virender Sehwag
The Shifting Landscape of IPL Leadership
The conclusion of the IPL 2026 group stage has left several franchises in a state of introspection. With the tournament dynamics shifting rapidly, the performance of captains has come under intense scrutiny from fans and experts alike. Among the most prominent voices offering analysis is legendary former Team India opener Virender Sehwag, who recently participated in a rapid-fire discussion to evaluate the leadership status of all ten IPL teams.
The Verdict on Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants
Perhaps the most explosive takeaway from Sehwag’s assessment concerns two of the league’s high-profile franchises. The veteran cricketer made it clear that he believes a change in command is necessary for the five-time champions, suggesting Hardik Pandya removed as Mumbai Indians captain, but Rishabh Pant retained by Virender Sehwag at the Lucknow Super Giants, despite the latter’s disappointing campaign.
The argument for Pant’s retention is particularly intriguing given that Lucknow Super Giants finished at the bottom of the points table in 2026. Pant managed only 312 runs in 14 matches, averaging 28.36 with a strike rate of 138.05. Despite these numbers, Sehwag’s stance remained firm: “50-50 hai but keep,” indicating a belief that consistency in leadership might be the key to rebuilding the squad for the future.
Evaluating Success and Failure
Sehwag’s analysis was not limited to struggling teams. He provided a comprehensive breakdown of who should remain in the hot seat and who needs to be replaced:
- Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Backed to continue following a successful top-three finish.
- Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru): Fully supported for his role in leading RCB to the top of the points table with nine wins.
- Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans): Endorsed to remain captain after a stellar second-place finish.
- Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings): Supported to continue despite the team’s mid-season slump after a brilliant start.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings): Backed to lead the franchise’s transition, even after an eighth-place finish.
- Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals): Supported for his leadership, having narrowly missed the playoffs.
Controversial Calls and Future Implications
Not every captain found support in Sehwag’s review. Beyond his call for the Mumbai Indians to move on from Hardik Pandya, Sehwag also suggested that the Kolkata Knight Riders should look for a new captain to replace Ajinkya Rahane. Perhaps most surprisingly, he advocated for the removal of Riyan Parag from the Rajasthan Royals captaincy, despite the franchise successfully qualifying for the playoffs with 16 points.
The IPL 2026 season saw a definitive divide between those who adapted to the changing tactical requirements of the T20 format and those who faltered. While playoff qualifiers like RCB, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals have solidified their standing, the bottom-half teams are clearly facing a summer of upheaval. Sehwag’s insights underscore a growing sentiment in cricket circles: that leadership, rather than just raw talent, remains the primary differentiator in the modern game.
As franchises prepare for the next cycle, the suggestions made by Sehwag reflect the high-stakes nature of modern T20 cricket. Whether the team owners choose to act on these expert recommendations remains to be seen, but the debate surrounding the captaincy of marquee sides like Mumbai Indians is sure to dominate the discourse in the coming months. For now, the cricketing world watches closely to see which organizations value stability over radical change.
You can watch the full discussion featuring Virender Sehwag’s thoughts on these developments via the official social media channels of Cricbuzz.
