Hardik Pandya’s time at Mumbai Indians has taken another bruising turn, with the franchise once again finding itself at the centre of a debate that has refused to go away. Over the past three seasons, the all-rounder has transformed from a hoped-for “return of the prodigal” into one of the most divisive names in the MI camp. The reaction from fans has been anything but welcoming, with home supporters booing him, social media turning into a constant stream of criticism, and a section of commentators writing him off after Mumbai ended the 2024 season at the bottom of the standings during his debut year as captain.
In 2025, the narrative briefly swung in his favour. Hardik responded with improved performances, steering Mumbai into the playoffs and carrying them to Qualifier 2. Yet, a year later, the scrutiny is back at full volume. Another uneven campaign for Mumbai Indians has brought early elimination from the playoff chase, after the team lost eight of their 11 matches, putting fresh spotlight on both Hardik’s output and the decisions he has made from the captain’s seat.
Off the field, the tension has also flared again. Social media rumours have circulated claiming Hardik has unfollowed the franchise on Instagram, adding another layer to an already heated atmosphere around his leadership and his relationship with the dressing room. With his recent form described as underwhelming and several captaincy calls during IPL 2026 questioned, speculation has grown over whether Mumbai might reconsider not only his role as leader, but also his long-term place in the squad.
Former India players weigh in
- Rohan Gavaskar, speaking on Cricbuzz during MI’s match against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, argued that MI should keep Hardik for the 2027 season from a cricket-first standpoint, unless the dressing-room and off-field claims have substance.
- Gavaskar’s position was conditional: if the rumours about internal tension or other off-field issues were true, he felt the franchise should move on; if they were false, he believed Hardik’s quality would still demand retention.
- Virender Sehwag took a stronger stance, disagreeing with the idea of letting rumours influence the decision, saying dressing-room disputes—if they exist—can be resolved, while a player of Hardik’s value is not easy to replace.
- Sehwag also suggested that Hardik’s worth as a player goes beyond his current reported price level of ₹16.35 crore and is closer to the ₹27 crore figure Rishabh Pant had earned at the mega auction.
On the numbers, Hardik’s season has not matched the demands placed on him. He managed 146 runs across eight innings at a strike rate of 136.44, while also taking just four wickets—conceding at an economy rate close to 12. Those returns, combined with the growing chatter around his leadership, have intensified questions about what MI should do next.
Despite that, the debate among ex-players remains split. Gavaskar’s view offered a “retain unless proven otherwise” approach, while Sehwag pushed for retention regardless of the noise, stressing that team success requires unity and that Hardik’s talent continues to justify his place. Sehwag even pointed to the fact that Hardik has delivered quality performances in periods when he was not captain, adding that similar rumours have existed before—yet he would still keep him in the side.
As the next season approaches, the controversy around Hardik Pandya is once again shaping the conversation at Mumbai Indians—on-field form, captaincy judgement, and the possible impact of dressing-room and social-media narratives all competing for attention. Whether MI ultimately chooses stability or change will likely hinge on what the franchise believes is real, and whether Hardik can convert his skills into consistent match-winning contributions when the stakes rise.
