‘Mahi bhai is still No.1’: Shardul Thakur credits MS Dhoni as he begins new chapter with MI | Cricket News

Mumbai: Soon after leading his team to an innings and 222-run annihilation of Puducherry at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, Shardul Thakur posed for selfies and pictures with the fans who had gathered near the staircase of the Mumbai dressing room. Even though he is not currently a part of the Indian team, ‘Lord’ Thakur has reason to be happy with the way his life is going at the moment.Asked to take over as Mumbai captain following the departure of former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, the 34-year-old has led Mumbai, who now lead their group with 24 points, to three outright wins in their first five matches of the 2025-26 edition of the Ranji Trophy.

After enduring a 2024-25 season in which they looked in danger of crashing out of the championship stage of the Ranji Trophy, suffering a stunning five-wicket defeat to Jammu and Kashmir at the MCA ground in BKC, and ultimately losing by 80 runs to Vidarbha in the semi-final, the domestic giants are at their best again this season.Clearly, the Mumbai team seems to be enjoying their cricket under Thakur’s leadership. As he eyes a return to India, the veteran all-rounder seems to be relishing his role as the new leader of a team still facing the pressure of expectations.When asked how exactly the Mumbai captaincy was given to him at the start of this season, Thakur said: “They asked me whether I was ready to lead the team or not. I immediately replied ‘yes, of course, I am ready to lead the team.’Elaborating on his captaincy mantra, which seems to be working well for the Mumbai team, Thakur said: “I have my own style and I keep telling these boys, when we are on the field, that we should not be afraid to make tactical changes in our games. If you think something is needed or we can apply those tactics, then you should go for it and you should keep bringing in new ideas. So that is my motto. And of course, don’t go too far with things. We also need to know our limits as players, and within the limits, whatever your game allows you to do, you should be able to do it. That’s my simple message to everyone.”Having played under illustrious captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for India and Chennai Super Kings, Thakur has imbibed the art of leading a team from modern India’s big three, although he considers Dhoni as the ‘Captain No. 1’ in his book. “For me, Mahi bhai is always no. 1 (captain). But yes, I am inspired by the captain’s style of the three. I have observed them closely…how they lead the team and manage things. It is important for me to continue to take positives from their captaincy,” Thakur said.Back to MI, finallyThakur is also happy with his city’s IPL team, the Mumbai Indiansafter trading him from Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2026. “Everyone loves to play at home. It has been pending for a long time. But when the time comes… that’s when it becomes possible. So the time has finally come,” he said with a smile.