The moment was born out of circumstance. Regular captain Hardik Pandya and stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav were both unavailable for the clash against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. Rohit Sharma, despite his decorated captaincy record, has largely featured as an Impact Player in recent games, paving the way for Bumrah to take charge.<\/p>\n
And while Mumbai\u2019s IPL 2026 playoff hopes are already over, the night still carried symbolic weight. Bumrah, who has represented only Mumbai Indians since his debut season in 2013, became the third captain used by the franchise this year. The side even registered an elusive a win, powered by Tilak Varma\u2019s blazing 33-ball 75.<\/p>\n
Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes the one-game glimpse should encourage Mumbai Indians to think more seriously about Bumrah as a leadership option going forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to see Jasprit Bumrah captain more because I don\u2019t think anyone reads the game as well as he does. What he does with the ball is not just about his action or his skills. It\u2019s also about anticipation, reading batters, understanding situations and assessing pitches,\u201d Manjrekar said on Sportstar\u2019s Insight Edge podcast.<\/p>\n
Manjrekar admitted he was surprised that Bumrah had not appeared particularly eager to pursue leadership opportunities despite previously captaining India.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a little disappointed that he doesn\u2019t seem too keen on captaincy. In England, he didn\u2019t captain when Shubman Gill was made captain. But hopefully, at least in the Indian Premier League, we should give that a shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether that could mean Mumbai Indians eventually moving beyond Hardik Pandya as captain, Manjrekar did not shy away from the suggestion.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, you caught what I was hinting at because I think they might have to look beyond Hardik Pandya,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d really like to see Bumrah being given a short-term opportunity because that\u2019s not as much of a burden on him as being India\u2019s Test captain, where he has to stay fit and ready for every Test match.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven in England, I believed that even if he was only bowling at 135 kph, he still could have captained. I don\u2019t believe captaincy changes things that dramatically because we\u2019ve seen so many examples in Indian cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manjrekar backed his point with historical examples, pointing to India winning under stand-in captains in the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance, when Virat Kohli stepped away [during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy] for a paternity break, and Ajinkya Rahane took over, India still won. A change in captaincy doesn\u2019t suddenly transform the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing further back, in 1988, when Ravi Shastri took over after Dilip Vengsarkar was injured and captained the final Test in Chennai, India beat West Indies.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Manjrekar, leadership continuity matters less than having the best tactical mind available in charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I think this idea that the captain has to play all five or six Test matches is a little overrated. If your team is full of players performing well, you should try to have the best possible captain leading whenever he is available.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my view. I know not too many people will agree with it. But it also has to be someone deserving. Bumrah has the qualities and the body of work behind him. I just hope Mumbai Indians considers Bumrah as captain for the foreseeable future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Published on May 15, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n