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Indian batting great Rohit Sharma has expressed strong faith in newly-appointed India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer, predicting that he will flourish in his leadership role. Rohit also praised the T20 Mumbai League for serving as a crucial breeding ground for the next generation of Mumbai cricketers.

Rohit made these comments on a memorable evening when 21,708 spectators filled the Wankhede Stadium to witness a high-voltage Nuvama Private T20 Mumbai League 2026 encounter between SOBO Mumbai Falcons and Triumph Knights Mumbai North East. The match featured prominent names like Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav. Iyer celebrated his new appointment as India’s T20I captain with a commanding 61 off 36 balls, steering the Falcons to a five-wicket win.

As the official Face of the League, Rohit highlighted that Mumbai’s competitive cricket culture plays a pivotal role in shaping players for leadership at higher levels. “Playing in Mumbai teaches you a lot of things. And if you ask anyone who has captained India or Mumbai, they’ll tell you the same thing. Because nothing comes easy here,” he remarked.

He further added, “You have to really earn it. So, captaincy is also something that you have to earn and earn the respect of people around you. And that is something that all these guys have.”

The World Cup-winning captain also drew attention to the journeys of several Mumbai players who have gone on to lead India, naming Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer as prime examples of perseverance and leadership.

“You’ve seen Surya who led India to the World Cup final. Look, he made his India debut at 31, if I’m not wrong. Which means that he never gave up. He always wanted to be in the fight. And when it came, he wanted to grab it with both hands. And he did it.

“Now, Shreyas has been announced as a T20 captain. And I’m sure looking at how he has captained in the last few years for his franchise in Mumbai and all of that, he’s going to have a good time as well.”

Rohit also stressed the significance of the T20 Mumbai League in offering young cricketers a platform to showcase their potential and fortify Mumbai’s cricketing framework. “We want the platform for all the players to come out and show their talent. And this is the perfect platform for a lot of these guys who are playing and taking part in it. Last year was a huge success, I saw it. A lot of people turned up as well,” he said.

Emphasising that the tournament serves as a vital stepping stone for players seeking to make their mark, Rohit added, “For a lot of these guys who have not been part of the IPL, this is a huge platform. I’m pretty sure a lot of the team owners will be watching. And the players will try and make the most of it.”

He also applauded Mumbai Cricket Association President Ajinkya Naik and his team for their efforts in delivering a well-organised event despite the logistical challenges of hosting it right after the IPL season. “Huge credit to Ajinkya [Naik] and his team for putting up this show and a wonderful platform for everyone. And what I’ve been hearing from everyone is that there hasn’t been any compromise. It’s never easy, especially after the IPL. I know how tough it is, not just for the players but also not to forget the groundsmen who have been here day in, day out. That shows the people involved in the T20 Mumbai League are quite passionate as well.”

The men’s and women’s editions of the league are being conducted concurrently at the Wankhede Stadium, with the finals set for June 13. All matches are being broadcast live on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.