Hardik Pandya will retain his captaincy for the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season as well, despite his poor captaincy measures and the team’s lack of form in IPL 2026.
The Mumbai Indians have had a very disappointing run in IPL 2026. After the team made it to the qualifiers in IPL 2025, they have struggled to keep up their good form this season. Though they have not struggled much with the bat, their bowling remained a major concern.
However, other than the players, skipper Hardik Pandya has been blamed on multiple occasions for his poor captaincy measures and wrong calls that have cost his team. Several claims were made about him being snubbed from the captain’s role for MI.
Hardik Pandya to continue as MI captain
The Mumbai Indians handed captaincy over to Hardik Pandya ahead of the start of IPL 2024, when he was traded in from the Gujarat Titans. Until then, Pandya had led GT to two consecutive finals since 2023, also winning a title in their inaugural season.
However, Pandya’s form as MI captain has been poor. Despite all, as per the Indian Express, the MI management has backed Hardik Pandya as the skipper of the team and does not see the struggles of the team as a reflection of his leadership, but instead has marked it as a slow adaptation to the evolving style of play.
Hardik’s form with the bat also has been a major concern for the Mumbai Indians. The all-rounder has just managed to score 146 runs in eight matches and has picked four wickets with the ball. Now his injury concerns add to the demerits of the MI skipper.
Hardik Pandya suffered a massive injury concern midway through the IPL
The Indian all-rounder’s lack of form has been a massive concern already. However, Hardik Pandya’s fitness check has also been a concern. He has been careful with his workload, not bowling his full quota of overs on the majority of the occasions.
Pandya picked out another injury scare ahead of their game against the Lucknow Super Giants. Suryakumar Yadav provided the same update at the toss as he stepped in as the skipper, while Rohit was used as an impact player.
Rickelton provided an update on Hardik Pandya and said that he has missed out due to some back spasms. There remains immense uncertainty over his return or the likely state of his injury.
Suryakumar Yadav has been backed to replace Hardik Pandya
With Hardik Pandya not being able to hand them proper momentum in the season, with seven losses already this season, he has been asked to be snubbed from the role of captaincy, not only by cricket experts but also by the MI fans.
Ever since Rohit Sharma, no MI skipper has been able to hand them a spot in the finals. With Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian T20I skipper, being part of the mix, many have opined that he should be given a fair chance.
Surya led India to an Asia Cup title and won the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup as well, making Team India the most successful team in the history of the competition. This praiseworthy success has handed him a likely contention for the role of the MI skipper. However, no such claims or indications have been made from the MI camp.
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