IPL 2026 | 'I don't see that happening': Jasprit Bumrah cracks joke on ODI captaincy after Mumbai Indians win
Jasprit Bumrah captained Mumbai Indians for the first time in IPL 2026, leading them to a six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings. This leadership role came in the absence of regular captains Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. Bumrah, who has captained India in Tests and T20Is, expressed his enjoyment of the experience and praised the team's execution.
NEW DELHI: Since making his debut for Mumbai Indians in 2013, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been an integral part of the franchise. Over the years, he has played 157 matches for MI and picked up 186 wickets. But during Thursday’s IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, Bumrah was seen in a different role - captain.
Bumrah was handed the Mumbai Indians captaincy in the absence of both regular skipper Hardik Pandya and stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav. And the pacer delivered in style in his first outing as Mumbai Indians captain, leading the side to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings. This was not the first time Bumrah had captained a side.
He has previously led India in both Tests and T20Is. His leadership experience includes captaining India in two Tests during the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and the rescheduled Birmingham Test against England in 2022. Bumrah has also captained India in two T20Is, with India winning both matches under his leadership.
After Mumbai Indians - already out of the IPL 2026 playoff race - secured the win, Bumrah was asked about his experience leading the side during the post-match presentation. "Yeah, first game, like I said, I've captained a Test match. I've captained T20Is.