Hardik Pandya looks set to step down as captain of the Mumbai Indians after another disappointing IPL campaign. Under his leadership, MI managed only four wins from 14 matches and ended the league stage in ninth place on the points table, a finish that further adds pressure on the franchise’s decision-making.
It hasn’t been a consistently smooth run for Pandya in the MI captaincy either. In 2024, after his move away from the Gujarat Titans, he was handed the captain’s role for the first time at Mumbai. That season ended with MI finishing at the bottom of the table. While last year the team did reach the playoffs, it hasn’t been viewed as a major achievement for a franchise with MI’s expectations and history—something that fans and the ownership group are unlikely to treat as enough.
There were, however, early signals that the leadership was not fully in Pandya’s favour. “There were enough indications during the season that the team management wasn’t inclined to keep him as captain. You can feel a clear buzz within the camp,” one insider said. Multiple accounts suggest that as many as three different sources had confirmed the all-rounder was likely to lose the captaincy role.
The concerns weren’t limited to results alone. Another report pointed to a disconnect between the coaching staff’s plans and what players executed. The coaching group, as described, delivered a straightforward message to the senior players: wherever they play, they must remain coachable. There were moments when the staff proposed strategies backed by data, yet those recommendations were not followed by the players.
That naturally raises the question of whether Pandya will remain in the XI if he does lose the armband. The possibility goes beyond captaincy, with suggestions that he could also be forced to fight for his place in the squad—meaning he may need to explore a new franchise if things do not work out at MI. More clarity is expected in the coming days.
An MI veteran also hinted that the franchise will take a hard look at everything before deciding the next direction. “In the days ahead, there will be serious introspection and discussion. Every option will be assessed. Several questions still need answers. Can Hardik continue as captain going forward? Or does he remain in the team only as a player?” the team insider said.
While MI’s struggles were evident, this IPL season also highlighted how the strongest sides managed the Powerplay with far more intent. Teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad stood out in particular during the first six overs, making the most of the fielding restrictions and tempo.
MI, in contrast, struggled for long stretches with their Powerplay output and execution. “We haven’t been able to use the Powerplay the way some of the other more successful teams have. We haven’t moved with the times,” another source pointed out, underlining that the issue was not just one match, but a recurring theme across the campaign.
There was also a difficult backdrop for Pandya with fans. He wasn’t welcomed back to MI in 2024, and spectators booed him repeatedly during the season. The anger largely stemmed from the belief that he had played a role in pushing Rohit Sharma out of the captaincy position—something that shaped the atmosphere around him.
However, later in 2024, things improved somewhat after he contributed meaningfully to India’s T20 World Cup triumph. Still, this season, Pandya’s form and decision-making appeared uneven, and he seemed to surrender early in several moments.
His personal numbers reflected that lack of impact. In 10 matches, he scored 206 runs at an average of 22.89, striking at 138.26. With the ball, the concerns were even sharper: he bowled close to 23 overs in total and finished with only four wickets, at an economy rate of 11.43.
