The Mumbai Indians (MI) revealed that, before to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Hardik Pandya will take over as the team’s captain, an announcement that came as a major shock.
For ₹15 crore, Mumbai acquired Pandya from Gujarat Titans (GT) in an all-cash deal. Rumor has it that Pandya desired the franchise’s leadership position prior to the transfer.
Rohit Sharma, the dynamic hitter who led MI to five IPL victories, has agreed to play under the elite all-rounder’s captaincy. Hardik led GT to the finals in both of the previous two rounds, with Gujarat capturing the championship in 2022.
Rohit Sharma’s leadership abilities remain unblemished. The Mumbai opener is one of the tournament’s most successful leaders. Rohit captained the Mumbai Indians for ten years after taking over as captain midway through the 2013 season.
The 36-year-old captained Mumbai in 158 IPL games, winning 87 and losing 67 of them. His victory percentage as a captain was 55.06, the second-highest among all captains (minimum 100 matches).
Mumbai reached amazing heights and developed into what is perhaps the most dominant T20 franchise in the world during his time. In light of this, let’s examine three of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy records that may never be surpassed.
1. Youngest IPL captain to win the title
Rohit Sharma made history as the youngest captain to ever win an IPL championship. In 2013, he led the Mumbai Indians to clinch their first IPL trophy. Through strategic leadership and skilled play, Sharma guided his team to victory.
MI were struggling in the 2013 IPL and handed over the leadership to Rohit Sharma. Despite the presence of some older players on the squad, the management placed their trust in Rohit, who led the team well.
When he won the IPL 2013 title as captain, Rohit Sharma was only 26 years and 26 days old. Shubman Gill, the newly chosen captain of the Gujarat Titans, is the only player who can beat Rohit’s record.
Gill is presently 24 years old and must lead GT to a title during the next two seasons in order to become the IPL’s youngest captain.
2. Most consecutive wins by a team in IPL playoffs
When it comes to high-pressure matches, Rohit Sharma was always prepared with methods and tactics.
He led Mumbai to 15 playoff games in ten years as captain. Rohit’s side won 11 games in those high-octane encounters, which is quite a feat.
However, from 2017 to 2023, Mumbai were undefeated in the IPL playoffs, including the finals. MI won the second Qualifier and the final in the 2017 season before failing to qualify for the knockouts in 2018. MI won the championship in both the 2019 and 2020 tournaments, winning Qualifier 1 and the finals on both occasions.
They won the Eliminator against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2023, but their winning run was broken when GT defeated them in the second Qualifier. Under Rohit’s captaincy, Mumbai won seven straight playoff games.
3. Least matches taken by captain to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th IPL trophy
Capturing five IPL championships in a mere eight years is an extraordinary accomplishment. This dominant feat stands as the most triumphant achievement by any skipper in the competition’s history.
After succeeding Ricky Ponting after six MI matches in the 2013 season, Rohit led the Blue and Gold to their sixth IPL title by 2020.
Moreover, Rohit is the fastest skipper to win the first five IPL titles. He captained MI for 13 matches in 2013, when the team won its first championship. Rohit’s MI won the 2015 title after a total of 44 matches at a leader.
His third trophy came after 75 matches, while his fourth and fifth came after 104 and 116 matches, respectively.
Rohit’s record of winning five IPL titles in 116 matches may be unbreakable by any other captain in IPL history.
