Mumbai Indians’ disappointing IPL 2026 campaign continues to trigger major speculation around the future of captain Hardik Pandya. After finishing ninth on the points table, reports have suggested that the franchise is considering a leadership change, while rumours have also linked the Indian all-rounder with a possible move away from the five-time champions.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding Hardik’s future, former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly been handed a key role in deciding the franchise’s next captain. According to reports, the MI management is keen to avoid repeating the mistakes made during the controversial captaincy transition in 2023.
Ahead of IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians had traded Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans and appointed him captain in place of Rohit Sharma. The decision was met with massive backlash from fans, with Hardik facing boos and criticism throughout the season. MI’s struggles continued in IPL 2026 as the team managed to win only four league matches, with just two victories coming under Hardik’s captaincy.
As per a report by NDTV, the Mumbai Indians management now wants Rohit Sharma’s approval before finalising the next captain. One source close to the development reportedly said, “The next Mumbai Indians captain will be the one who has the blessings of Rohit Sharma. Mumbai realise the mistake they made. But it will not be Rohit himself.”
The report also claimed that Rohit Sharma is unlikely to return as MI captain despite his legendary success with the franchise. The veteran opener, who guided Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles, is expected to continue purely as a player for the remainder of his career.
Sources further suggested that Rohit felt disrespected by the manner in which the captaincy change happened in 2023, especially since the decision was reportedly taken without properly consulting him. The Mumbai Indians management now appears eager to rebuild stability within the dressing room after another disappointing season.
