Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Naman Dhir could emerge as a captaincy option for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the coming years. Ashwin praised the young batter’s calm nature and clear thinking while discussing the franchise’s future leadership.
Ashwin also spoke about Rohit Sharma’s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the possibility of Hardik Pandya leaving Mumbai Indians through a trade ahead of the next season.
R Ashwin Backs Naman Dhir For Future MI Captaincy
While discussing Mumbai Indians’ future plans on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Naman Dhir could be considered for the captaincy role. He pointed to the youngster’s composure and ability to think clearly under pressure as qualities that could help him become a leader.
“In the future, I won’t rule out Naman Dhir as a captaincy option, looking at his clarity and unflappability,” Ashwin said.
Dhir has been part of Mumbai Indians’ setup, and Ashwin believes the franchise could consider him when it looks at its leadership options for the future.
Ashwin On Rohit Sharma’s IPL Future
Ashwin also dismissed the idea that Rohit Sharma will necessarily retire from the IPL after the 2027 season. According to the former India cricketer, it is difficult to predict how long the veteran batter will continue playing.
“We don’t know if he’s (Rohit) going to play only one more year or longer. The same has been said about Dhoni, and he has ended up playing for many years and will likely return as a player again next season,” Ashwin said.
Rohit has been one of the biggest names in IPL history. He has scored 7,329 runs in 281 matches at an average of 29.91 and a strike rate of 132.92. His record includes two centuries and 49 half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 109.
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Rohit started his IPL career with Deccan Chargers in 2008 and joined Mumbai Indians in 2011. He has won six IPL titles, including one with Deccan Chargers in 2009 and five with Mumbai Indians.
As MI captain, Rohit led the team to five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. His success made him one of the most successful captains in the tournament’s history.
R Ashwin Predicts Hardik Pandya’s Exit From Mumbai Indians
Ashwin also shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya’s future at Mumbai Indians. He believes the all-rounder could leave the franchise through a trade, although MI could still decide to retain him.
“It’s almost certain that he (Hardik) won’t be with MI unless they try to retain him at the last moment. But I do believe he’ll be traded,” Ashwin said.
He also suggested that Mumbai Indians could look for a leg-spinner in a potential deal. Another option, according to Ashwin, could be an Indian left-arm pacer from Punjab Kings.
“MI might look for a leg-spinner in the trade, and there were even talks of MI targeting an Indian left-arm pacer from PBKS for Hardik,” he added.
How Hardik Pandya Has Fared As MI Captain
Hardik returned to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2024 season and replaced Rohit as captain. The decision attracted strong reactions from fans, particularly because of Rohit’s success during his time in charge.
MI had a difficult first season under Hardik, finishing at the bottom of the points table with just four wins from 14 matches.
The team bounced back in 2025, reaching the playoffs after finishing fourth in the league stage. However, their campaign ended with a defeat to Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2.
The 2026 season was disappointing once again. Mumbai Indians finished ninth after winning just four of their 14 matches, missing out on the playoffs for the second time in three seasons under Hardik’s leadership.