Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians (MI) have reportedly parted ways following a dismal IPL 2026 season. As MI captain, Hardik Pandya failed to reach the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
He took over the role in 2024 from the popular Rohit Sharma. The team, however, finished 10th and missed the playoffs. MI reached the playoffs in IPL 2025, a slight upturn, but slipped to ninth in IPL 2026. So, MI could have a new captain for IPL 2027, and we look at three possible candidates.
Here are the three captaincy options for Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2027:
3. Tilak Varma
Mumbai Indians should back Tilak Varma if they want a long-term captain. At just 23, Tilak can captain MI for 10-12 years, much like Rohit Sharma did. Tilak has shown captaincy credentials as India’s T20I vice-captain. MI could make Tilak Varma vice-captain for one IPL cycle to prepare him for the full-time role.
2. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning captain, could be an excellent pick for Mumbai Indians’ next captain. At just 35, Suryakumar Yadav can lead MI through the next three-year IPL cycle until the 2028 mega auction. This is a solid stopgap for MI captaincy while a younger player is groomed for the long term. Suryakumar Yadav has proven a captaincy pedigree, including for India, and can restore MI’s lost glory.
1. Rohit Sharma
If the Mumbai Indians are looking for a stopgap arrangement for just the IPL 2027 season, they should convince Rohit Sharma to take the reins once more. He will be 40 during the IPL 2027 season, and it remains to be seen how long he will play in the IPL. The five-time IPL winning skipper is an excellent captain, and his removal from the leadership position in 2024 was unjust; MI must recognize this mistake and persuade Rohit to resume the captaincy to mentor someone like Tilak.
