Hardik Pandya Reportedly Quit on Mumbai Indians Mid-Season, Will Likely Be Sacked

During the MI vs. KKR match, Hardik Pandya’s visible frustration and harsh reaction to a dropped catch even attracted an IPL disciplinary fine.

Hardik Pandya Reportedly Quit on Mumbai Indians Mid-Season, Will Likely Be Sacked

Mumbai Indians are reportedly going to sack Hardik Pandya from captaincy. (via NDTV Sports)

In Short
  • Hardik Pandya is likely to be removed as captain of Mumbai Indians after a disappointing 2026 season.
  • Pandya reportedly decided to quit the franchise mid-season due to mental stress and team tensions.
  • Speculation arises about Pandya's future, with suggestions he could join Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2027.

The situation between the Mumbai Indians and their skipper, Hardik Pandya, looks to have imploded, with the all-rounder likely to be removed from his captaincy duties. Sources also indicate that he had resolved to depart MI during the middle of their woeful 2026 campaign.

Pandya was brought back by the five-time IPL-winning franchise, where he had previously played from 2015 to 2021, in a trade deal from the Gujarat Titans. He replaced Rohit Sharma as MI’s new captain, a decision that was met with skepticism and fan backlash, and it was exacerbated by a bottom-place finish during the season. The 2025 season offered respite for Pandya, after he guided MI to the IPL playoffs, where they eventually lost to Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2. 

The 2026 season, however, has proved to be the breaking point, following MI’s disastrous 9th-place finish. Even with a star-studded roster, Mumbai managed only four wins, which tied them with last-placed LSG. Not only was the MI captain unsuccessful in inspiring his team, but his own performance was also mediocre; he contributed only 206 runs at an average of 22 and took four wickets in 10 matches.

Several media reports have indicated that the 32-year-old might be sacked from captaincy, with the MI management and owners exploring options ahead of IPL 2027. A PTI report even claimed that Pandya was mentally stressed and exhausted mid-way through the season, once it became clear that MI would not make it to the playoffs. Another factor contributing to the breakdown was a fractured dressing room, with Hardik Pandya having felt a noticeable lack of dedication from several senior players.

The Team India all-rounder had even informed the Mumbai Indians about his decision to quit the franchise, at a time when he missed a few games due to an unexpected back injury, which many believe was a pretext to conceal the tensions between the captain and team management.

While a formal decision is yet to be made, Pandya appears prepared to conclude his tenure. Across the 37 matches he led the team, MI secured only 15 wins and suffered 22 losses.

Since Hardik Pandya’s exit is anticipated this summer, it will be interesting to see who MI names as his successor. Certain reports have suggested that Rohit Sharma will play a crucial part in selecting the next Mumbai Indians skipper.

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What’s next for Hardik Pandya? Ex-CSK star pushes franchise to sign all-rounder

With it almost certain that Hardik Pandya will leave MI before IPL 2027, the veteran all-rounder’s future is now a subject of speculation. A former IPL winner with CSK, Subramaniam Badrinath, urged the franchise to rope in Pandya as a means of turning around their fortunes. 

Hardik Pandya to CSK
S Badrinath urged CSK to rope in Hardik Pandya, ahead of IPL 2027. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Chennai Super Kings is another franchise that has struggled to uphold its legacy. This season, the Men in Yellow finished 8th in the table, just ahead of MI, marking the third year the team went without securing a playoff berth. Not only did the Men in Yellow suffer due to untimely injuries before and during their 2026 campaign, but they also missed the services of an experienced finisher down the order. 

With Pandya fulfilling the role, CSK are desperately in need of him. Badrinath advised the franchise to sign him. The former India batter even put forward an intriguing proposition where MI would release their captain in exchange for Shivam Dube and Ayush Mhatre.

He commented that it could reshape both franchises, and CSK, in particular, would benefit from having the trio of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Pandya. He said on his YouTube channel:

If I am MI, I would trade Hardik [Pandya] for Shivam Dube and Ayush Mhatre from CSK. A core trio of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Hardik Pandya will take the CSK brand to a different level… Hardik has at least three excellent seasons in him.

Badrinath even added that Pandya would add balance to the Super Kings playing XI, with his relationship with MS Dhoni particularly helping him regain form. Earlier during the season, the all-rounder was even seen engaging in a lengthy discussion with CSK CEO, Kasi Viswanathan.

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