4 min learnUp to date: Might 28, 2026 11:35 PM IST
Hardik Pandya‘s reign as Mumbai Indians captain is coming to an finish. After a season through which they misplaced 10 of 14 video games, completed ninth, and prolonged their title drought to 6 years, MI is about to overtake its squad — beginning with the captaincy.
The Indian Categorical, chatting with not less than three individuals within the MI fold, has learnt that Hardik is more likely to lose the captaincy. A dialogue on his place within the aspect can be on the playing cards.
“There have been sufficient indicators in the course of the season that the group administration wasn’t eager to retain him as captain. There’s a clear buzz within the camp,” mentioned a supply.
The instant backdrop is a group speak by the teaching employees following MI’s closing recreation of the season in opposition to Rajasthan Royals.
“The teaching employees was very clear of their message to the senior gamers that wherever they play, they must be coachable. There have been many cases the place the teaching employees beneficial one thing which was backed by knowledge however gamers didn’t observe it,” mentioned a supply.
So what’s the path ahead?
“There might be critical introspection and dialogue within the coming days. Each possibility could be weighed. Many questions must be addressed. Going forward, can Hardik be the captain? Does he keep within the group simply as a participant?” in line with a MI old-timer.
The issue runs deeper than captaincy.
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“We haven’t been in a position to make use of the Powerplay like a number of the extra profitable groups this IPL. We haven’t moved with the occasions,” mentioned one other supply.
Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya celebrates a wicket throughout an Indian Premier League cricket match. (AP Photograph)
The groups that made the playoffs this yr — RR and Sunrisers Hyderabad — redefined T20 batting with high orders constantly going above 10 runs per over. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans confirmed the worth of skilled bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj. MI, with arguably essentially the most recognisable names within the competitors, seemed out of sync with the fashionable T20 recreation.
None of their gamers featured within the race for Orange or Purple Caps. Their greatest batsman Ryan Rickelton is seventeenth among the many high run-getters. Leg-spinner Allah Ghazanfar is 14th amongst wicket-takers. For a squad containing confirmed match-winners at each place, the numbers are troublesome to elucidate.
Hardik’s relationship with the MI terraces has all the time been difficult. Initially an MI discover, he was launched by the franchise in 2022, went to Gujarat Titans, gained the IPL as captain, and returned to MI in 2024 to interchange Rohit Sharma. This occurred days after Rohit had led India to the 50-over World Cup closing.
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The followers by no means forgave the optics. They booed him by his first season again, when MI completed on the backside of the desk. A partial restoration in 2025 raised hopes. The 2026 season extinguished them.
The MI gamers and decision-makers are presently on a break. The laborious conversations, sources say, will occur once they regroup within the coming weeks. Whether or not Hardik leads the aspect, performs in it, or neither – nothing is settled.
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