Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai Indians for the first time after 156 IPL matches, stepping in for Hardik Pandya. He expressed surprise at becoming a Test captain before leading MI.
NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah finally led Mumbai Indians for the first time on Thursday, and his first reaction captured just how unexpected the moment was.
āI didnāt think that Iāll be a Test captain before Iāll captain Mumbai Indians,ā Bumrah said with a smile at the toss before MIās IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.
The fast bowler stepped in as captain with regular skipper Hardik Pandya unavailable due to a back spasm, while stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav missed the game for personal reasons.
A long wait before first captaincy
Bumrahās captaincy debut came after 156 IPL matches for MI, making him the second-most experienced player to lead an IPL side for the first time.
Only Ravindra Jadeja had waited longer, taking charge only after 200 matches. Bumrah moved ahead of Manish Pandey (153), Axar Patel (148), Kieron Pollard (137) and even teammate Suryakumar (126).
He also became the 10th player to captain Mumbai Indians in franchiseās history, adding another chapter to a season already filled with unusual changes for the five-time champions.
Bumrahās message despite MIās difficult season
With MI struggling near the bottom of the points table with just three wins from 11 matches, Bumrah said the team still wanted to embrace the final stretch rather than write the season off.
āWhen cricket gives you good days, you take it. When it gives you challenges, itās come to teach you something,ā he said.
He added that the side was determined to enjoy the remaining three matches and āruffle a few teamsā before the campaign ends.
āI like responsibility. This is a new challenge. Iāll look to have fun,ā Bumrah said.
That summed up the occasion. After more than a decade with MI and 156 games in blue, one of the franchiseās greatest bowlers finally had the captainās armband.
Jasprit Bumrah played 156 IPL matches before he captained the Mumbai Indians.
Bumrah captained the Mumbai Indians because regular skipper Hardik Pandya was unavailable due to a back spasm.
Suryakumar Yadav was the stand-in captain for Mumbai Indians before Jasprit Bumrah took over.
Jordan Walker hit a solo home run and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 victory over the Athletics. IvƔn Herrera also contributed with a game-tying single.
ASU basketball adds 7-foot-1 Serbian player Filip Malesevic to their roster!
Fossil Ridge's Kennedy Lindsey shines in snowy playoff match, named Blue FCU's Girls Athlete of the Week!
Braves look to sweep Cubs after series win on May 13
Eduardo Camavinga left out of France's World Cup squad
Discover how Cherry Bombs FC is redefining community in women's football!
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.