Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians (MI) have reportedly parted ways after a disastrous IPL 2026 season. Hardik Pandya failed to take MI to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons as the franchise captain.
Pandya had become MI captain in 2024, replacing the popular Rohit Sharma, but the franchise failed to make it into the playoffs, finishing 10th. In IPL 2025, things improved a bit as MI played in the playoffs, but things became worse in IPL 2026, as Mi finished 9th. As a result, there have been several reports that Hardik Pandya has parted ways with MI and has been looking for a new home, with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders being the front-runners.
Here are the 3 reasons why Hardik Pandya will not play for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2027:
3. Persistent fitness issues
Hardik Pandya has battled injury issues in the last two seasons in the IPL. In IPL 2026, Pandya played only 10 games, missing four matches as he suffered a back spasm. Since then, Pandya has not played competitive cricket. This is a big issue for MI, who want someone who will surely play all 14 games in the league stage and lead them from the front. Hardik is the most injury-prone player in India and not a safe bet for MI to continue with.
2. Poor decisions as captain; no performance as an individual
Hardik Pandya’s captaincy has always been under the scanner. Some of his decisions in the recent IPL, where he bowled a spinner instead of a pacer, and several other ones led to the fans and experts questioning how he was so successful with the Gujarat Titans. His behaviour with the senior players during his captaincy reign has also done no good to his reputation, and it might not gel with the MI philosophy.
1. Three seasons as captain, no trophy, one playoff finish
Hardik Pandya has captained the Mumbai Indians in three seasons in the Indian Premier League from 2024 to 2026, and only once have the MI qualified for the playoffs in 2025. Mumbai Indians, otherwise, have finished in the 9th and 10th spots under Pandya’s captaincy, and MI owners and management are not happy with the team’s performance so far and want someone new to lead.
