Handing the captaincy of a star-stacked Mumbai Indians setup is never a simple handover. When Hardik Pandya was appointed ahead of the IPL 2024 season, he inherited a franchise with a huge expectation bar, after already having proven he could steer teams to big outcomes.
Before returning to MI, Pandya’s leadership track record had been strong. He guided the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, then followed it with a runner-up finish in 2023. That history is why his credibility as a skipper did not come into question when he took charge of his old franchise.
Quick facts
- Hardik Pandya took over as captain of Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024.
- Pandya previously led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023.
- In IPL 2024, MI finished last among 10 teams and Pandya faced heavy booing at Wankhede Stadium.
- MI improved in 2025, but in 2026 they have won only 3 of 10 games, making playoffs highly unlikely.
- Management backing: the franchise is said to continue supporting Pandya and not viewing the slump as a direct reflection of his leadership.
- Claimed tactical issue: MI have been described as slow to adapt to the tournament’s evolving style, including powerplay impact and death overs.
- Simon Doull suggested MI should consider releasing players based on the next captain decision, specifically mentioning Pandya.
The first season in his new role brought a harsh reality check. MI ended IPL 2024 at the bottom of the table among 10 teams, and Pandya was repeatedly booed at the Wankhede Stadium during home matches.
There was some positive movement after that. MI showed signs of improvement in 2025, yet the franchise has found it much tougher in 2026, where results have not matched their standards. With just three wins in their first 10 games, MI look unlikely to qualify for the playoffs.
Why the franchise is still backing Pandya
Despite the poor run, the team’s internal view is said to remain supportive of Pandya. The message from management is that they do not interpret MI’s struggles as a verdict on his captaincy or leadership quality.
Instead, the reasoning being circulated points toward adaptation. The view is that MI have been slow to adjust to how the game is changing across the league, particularly in match phases where teams can seize control early and finish strongly.
In that context, the “evolving style of play” argument centres on explosive starts. The idea is that openers and bowlers need to create impact not only during the powerplay, but also in the death overs—areas where modern T20 sides often separate themselves.
Doull’s suggestion: decide the captaincy first
Former cricketer Simon Doull weighed in on a question about which current retained players MI should consider releasing ahead of the next IPL mega auction. His response was less about form alone and more about the captaincy plan for the following year.
Doull’s key line was blunt: if the franchise is going to change something, then the captaincy decision must be settled clearly. He said that if Hardik Pandya is not going to be the captain next season, then MI should release him, stressing that he does not know how Pandya will perform in an environment where the team has struggled for three years.
Asked whether captaincy could help Pandya rediscover his best level, Doull offered a balanced take. He suggested it could either lift the all-rounder—by freeing him up—or add pressure by creating a sense of failure, depending on how the role affects his mindset.
Doull also pointed out that when fully fit, Hardik has been among the best all-rounders in the competition. His closing question focused on willingness: if he remains the captain, is he prepared to step into a leadership role that demands sacrifice, hard work, and the patience to do the less glamorous tasks needed for the team to click again.
