Mumbai: As Mumbai Indians head coach, Mahila Jayawardene There is a lot of excitement going into IPL 2026 starting from March 28. Four MI players—India’s T20 captains Surya Kumar Yadavspeed spearhead Jaspreet BumrahCaptain Hardik Pandya And batsman Tilak Verma played a key role in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup victory.“Our boys are always inspiring cricketers. And I am very proud to have the likes of Rohit, Hardik, Suriya, Tilak, Jassi, Bums. It is an amazing group of players, and we are honored to have them at Mumbai Indians,” Mahila said during the Round MI IG Cricket season-ending ceremony at the MI IG Club Junior Club on Tuesday.
“I think in the World Cup, everybody has to put their hand up because it’s a tough tournament. I mean every game was tough, so there were different players who put their hand up and performed. And that’s why you win the World Cup because everybody is in form. Obviously, at the back end, they were very good. I’m glad we played four players from Mumbai in the T20 World Cup. (For India) so we’re very excited about that,” he added.‘T20 WC winners given extended break’MI’s head coach revealed that the franchise has given four of its World Cup-winning players an “extended break”, with the quartet set to join the camp next week.“Every year, we aim to get there (to win the IPL trophy) but I know it’s a long season. So the pre-season will start the way we usually start, work hard, get the new guys into the set-up. They’ll have a good week of training with us before the first game,” Mahila said.England all-rounder Will Jacks also impressed in the T20 World Cup while the presence of players like Sheriff Rutherford, Ryan Rickleton and Quinton de Kock added depth to the squad.“Absolutely,” he added, “but I’d rather have that headache than no headache. Not just Jacky, (there’s) Sheriff, Ryan (Rickleton), Quinny (Quinton de Kock). Everyone forgot Santner too, who’s New Zealand’s captain.” So I think it’s a great group that we’ve put together. We did all this before the T20 World Cup.“So I’m happy to get them all. For me it’s going to be a healthy headache. But everybody knows how we operate in camp. So, at the right time, we’ll make decisions. It’s going to be tough decisions, but we’ll make sure the best decisions are made.”Surya Kumar’s support, compliments of BumrahDespite some criticism of Surya Kumar’s form, Jayawardene gave him strong support. “I don’t think SKY is too worried about it (his form). He is a class operator. He always goes there. He has contributed when it matters. Yes, consistency is something he will want to improve,” he said.“I think the way he led the (Indian) team and held everything together… he had to take some tough decisions during the season. And in the (T20) World Cup, he did. Hats off to him. I am sure he will take a good break and join the camp with a smiling face.About Bumrah, he added, “I think Jessie (Jasprit Bumrah) is always a special, special player. And it’s just the work ethic that he brings and the way he thinks about the game that matters. I think the way he performed in the (T20) World Cup for India at crucial moments was something special.”Rohit’s role and the Sri Lankan campaignJayawardene pointed out. Rohit Sharma Appreciating his improved fitness, he cannot be fully utilized as an impact player.“He didn’t, but I think he did a lot of work behind the scenes. He did a lot of skill work last week. He joined us on the first day of our training camp. He looked good in the nets, which is great. (We’re seeing) a new version of Rohit too… much fitter, much more determined.” So (we) are looking at it from above.On Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup performance, Jayawardene said, “I think Sri Lanka played some really good cricket, they had some tough games that they missed. I mean, it’s the World Cup. I think every match is important. It could have gone either way.”
