Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has questioned whether Tilak Varma has done enough to emerge as a leadership option for Mumbai Indians (MI), amid discussions surrounding the franchise’s captaincy plans for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Srikkanth pointed to the young batter’s inconsistent performances and suggested that one impressive innings followed by several failures has become a recurring pattern in his game.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth observed that Varma has struggled to maintain consistency over the past few seasons. He argued that although the left-handed batter has produced some impressive performances, his inability to deliver regularly remains a concern. Srikkanth said Varma’s pattern has often involved playing one outstanding innings before failing to make a significant contribution in the next four matches.
The former cricketer also questioned whether Varma’s performances justify the possibility of him being considered for a leadership position at Mumbai Indians. Recent reports have linked the youngster with a potential elevation to the vice-captaincy role, particularly as the franchise evaluates its leadership options ahead of the next IPL season. However, Srikkanth suggested that consistency with the bat should remain an important consideration when assessing his suitability for the responsibility.
Srikkanth also expressed surprise that Suryakumar Yadav’s name has received relatively little attention in discussions about Mumbai Indians’ next captain. He pointed out that Suryakumar has considerable leadership experience, having captained India to the T20 World Cup title. The former India skipper suggested that Suryakumar could feel overlooked amid the speculation surrounding other potential candidates.
Mumbai Indians are expected to assess their leadership combination following a disappointing 2026 campaign. The five-time IPL champions finished ninth in the points table, recording only four victories in 14 matches. With uncertainty surrounding Hardik Pandya’s future at the franchise and reports linking Rohit Sharma with a possible return to captaincy, the team’s leadership structure remains a major talking point ahead of IPL 2027.