Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has once again come under scrutiny following the franchise’s underwhelming performance in IPL 2026, but reports suggest that the five-time champions are not rushing into any drastic decisions regarding his future.
When Pandya was appointed MI captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season, it marked a high-profile return to the franchise where he had previously played a key role as a senior all-rounder. Having already proven his leadership credentials by guiding Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023, expectations were naturally high when he took over one of the most successful teams in tournament history.
However, his first season as MI skipper proved to be extremely challenging. The team finished at the bottom of the table in 2024, and Pandya faced visible criticism, including boos from sections of the home crowd at the Wankhede Stadium. While the 2025 season showed some improvement with MI finishing fourth, consistency has remained elusive.
The 2026 campaign has brought renewed concerns, with MI managing just three wins in their first 10 matches, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Despite the disappointing results, a report in The Indian Express, quoting sources, claims that MI management continues to back Pandya. The report suggests that the franchise does not view the team’s struggles as a direct reflection of his leadership. Instead, officials believe the issue lies in MI’s inability to adapt to the evolving demands of modern T20 cricket.
According to the report, the “evolving style of play” refers to the need for more aggressive starts from openers and bowlers capable of making an impact in both the powerplay and death overs—areas where MI have reportedly fallen short.
Amid the ongoing debate around leadership, former cricketer Simon Doull also weighed in on MI’s possible retention strategy ahead of the next mega auction. He raised an important question about Hardik Pandya’s captaincy future and whether a change might be considered.
“My point would be: who is your captain next year? If they are going to change something, who is going to be the captain next year? If it is not going to be Hardik Pandya, release him,” Doull said.
He further added that Pandya’s future role could significantly impact his performance.
“When fully fit, Hardik has been one of the best all-rounders in the game. My only point is, if he is going to be the captain, is he willing to take the backseat, put in the hard yards, and just be Hardik—the great player—yet again?” Doull said.
As MI navigate another difficult season, questions around leadership, strategy, and team balance continue to dominate discussions. However, as per current reports, the franchise is still backing Hardik Pandya, with no immediate plans for a leadership change.
