Ahead of the IPL 2024 season Rohit Sharma was replaced by Hardik Pandya as MI captain, the five-time champions MI lost 10 out of 14 matches during IPL 2026 to complete ninth. According to a report in The Indian Express, in one of the most high-profile sackings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Hardik Pandya is set to lose his leadership of Mumbai Indians. There was clear speculation from former players and experts regarding future of Hardik Pandya as MI captain. A few days after MI’s campaign finished, what fuelled it further was Pandya deactivating his Instagram account.
As per report, whether Hardik Pandya will part of the team as a player is also under discussion. The report quoted a source as telling “There were enough signs during the season that the team management wasn’t keen to retain him as captain. There is a clear buzz in the camp,”
Also Read : https://sportslila.com/ipl-2026-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-scripts-history-during-the-2026-eliminator-match/
According to report to have spoken to “at least three persons” in the MI fold.
A source told “The coaching staff was very clear in its message to the senior players that wherever they play, they need to be coachable. There were many instances where the coaching staff recommended something backed by data, but the players didn’t follow it,”
According to the report “There will be serious introspection and discussion in the coming days. Every option will be weighed. Many questions need to be addressed. Going ahead, can Hardik be the captain? Does he stay in the team just as a player?” an MI old-timer said.
