Not Shreyas Iyer! Rohit Sharma named the best captain for IPL 2025 by Navjot Singh Sidhu

In a twist that’s sure to raise eyebrows, former cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has picked Rohit Sharma as the captain of his IPL 2025 Team of the Tournament. This is despite the fact that Rohit did not captain any side this season. With the Mumbai Indians handing over leadership duties to Hardik Pandya last season, Rohit entered IPL 2025 as just a player again. Yet, Sidhu has entrusted him with the virtual captaincy.

The announcement came via Sidhu’s YouTube channel just days after RCB lifted their maiden IPL title in Ahmedabad, with Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings finishing as runners-up in their first final since 2014.

Why not Iyer as captain?

The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from the captaincy nod is perhaps the biggest talking point. Leading a perennial underachiever like Punjab Kings to their first final in 11 years, Iyer was definitely the best captain at IPL 2025, taking a not-so-experienced PBKS side to the final with aplomb. Iyer and Ricky Ponting continued to trust some uncapped talents throughout, despite having some superb international stars. Hence, many considered Iyer the standout captain of the season.

Yet, Sidhu opted for legacy over results, citing Rohit’s five IPL titles and his pivotal knocks in high-stakes games this year, notably his 81-run gem against Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. While not officially at the helm, Rohit was MI’s on-field general, finishing with 418 runs at a strike rate of 149.28. Having said that, Rohit started his IPL 2025 very poorly, a reason why his season average ended up below 30.

Navjot Singh Sidhu’s IPL 2025 Team of the Tournament:

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, Shreyas Iyer, Nicholas Pooran, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Noor Ahmad, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood.

Rohit Sharma IPL 2025 stats