West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and Afghan spinner Rashid Khan were entrusted with the duties to lead MI Emirates and MI Cape Town, respectively, as MI Global announced the captains for the sides on Friday.
Mumbai Indians went global with the addition of teams in the T20 leagues of South Africa and the UAE earlier this year. The new members of MI ‘One Family’ -- MI Emirates and MI Cape Town -- are set to debut in their inaugural seasons in January next year.
Both teams have some of the best players of the game from across globe and will look to replicate the MI’s philosophy that has helped them to emerge as one of the most successful franchises in Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as global cricket.
“We’re extremely pleased to announce our captains for our extended MI Global one family for the cricketing season 2023. We have an amazing mix of talent, experience and passion in both our captains. I’m convinced that Polly (Pollard) and Rashid will take forward the MI ethos and MI brand of cricket. Both will work with our excellent coaching teams to infuse the MI spirit in MI Emirates and MI Cape Town and win the hearts of cricket fans in UAE and South Africa,” said Akash M Ambani.
MI Emirates, led by Pollard and featuring the best of world cricket in Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult and Imran Tahir amongst others, will debut in the ILT20, set to begin on January 13, 2023.
MI Cape Town, captained by Rashid Khan, comprises a solid local core of Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen along with Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone. The SA20 season will begin on January 10 next year with MI Cape Town set to play the opening game.
