Rohit Sharma to Decide Mumbai Indians' Next Captain? Big Update on Hardik Pandya's Future

It appears increasingly likely that Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians (MI) could go their separate ways after the disappointing IPL 2026 season. While reports remain conflicting, sources suggest that no final decision has been taken yet. The franchise is expected to conduct a thorough review of its campaign before deciding on the future of its captain.

Hardik returned to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024 after leading Gujarat Titans for two successful seasons. His appointment as captain came at the expense of Rohit Sharma, who had led MI to five IPL titles between 2013 and 2023. The decision generated significant debate among fans and cricket experts at the time.

Rohit Sharma Reportedly Unhappy with Captaincy Change

According to reports, Rohit was unhappy with the management’s decision to remove him as captain. However, his frustration was reportedly directed at the franchise leadership rather than Hardik himself. Despite the change in leadership, Rohit continued to play a key role within the squad and remained one of the most influential voices in the dressing room.

The results under Hardik's captaincy have been mixed at best. Mumbai Indians finished 10th in IPL 2024, reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025 after finishing fourth in the league stage, and then slipped to ninth place in IPL 2026. The inconsistency has raised questions about the team's direction and leadership structure.

There have also been reports of divisions within the dressing room. Some players are believed to have backed Hardik's appointment, while others were not convinced by the leadership change. In such a situation, Rohit's presence and influence could become crucial in helping the franchise decide its next course of action.

A source close to developments told NDTV, "The next Mumbai Indians captain will be the one who has the blessings of Rohit Sharma. Mumbai realise the mistake they have made. But it will not be Rohit himself." The statement suggests that while Rohit is unlikely to return as captain, his opinion will carry considerable weight in the decision-making process.

×

Hardik Pandya Under Pressure as Mumbai Indians Consider Major Leadership Change Hardik Pandya’s turbulent stint as Mumbai Indians captain could be nearing its conclusion after another disappointing IPL campaign.

by K D Mishra May 29, 2026

Who Can Replace Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians Captain?

If Hardik leaves, Mumbai already have a few leadership options within the squad. The most obvious candidate is Suryakumar Yadav, who currently captains India in T20Is. He also led MI in two matches during IPL 2026 when Hardik was unavailable due to injury.

Another strong contender is Jasprit Bumrah. One of the franchise's most respected players, Bumrah made his IPL captaincy debut when both Hardik and Suryakumar were unavailable. His calm temperament and vast experience make him a natural leadership candidate, although his injury history could be a concern.

The third option is Tilak Varma, who is viewed as a long-term investment. The 23-year-old has already captained Hyderabad in domestic cricket and currently leads India A in ODI cricket. While he lacks IPL captaincy experience, the franchise could see him as a future leader around whom the next generation of Mumbai Indians is built.

For now, Mumbai Indians have not made any official announcement regarding Hardik's future. However, with the franchise looking to rebuild after another disappointing campaign, the captaincy decision is expected to be one of the biggest talking points ahead of IPL 2027. Whether MI opt for experience in Suryakumar or Bumrah, or take a bold long-term gamble on Tilak Varma, Rohit Sharma's opinion is expected to play a significant role in shaping the franchise's future.

×

IPL 2026 Security Tightens as BCCI Prohibits Smart Eyewear in Restricted Areas Just days after IPL chairman Arun Dhumal dismissed concerns surrounding alleged ‘honey-trapping’ incidents and described IPL 2026 as a very clean tournament,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced another layer of security measures.

by K D Mishra May 29, 2026