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Not Rohit Sharma! Who will be MI captain in IPL 2027? Exploring Mumbai Indians' captaincy options if Hardik Pandya is sacked originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- MI insiders say Hardik Pandya's captaincy is under serious review after another poor season.
- The next MI captain will have Rohit Sharma's backing, but won't be Rohit himself.
- Tilak Varma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav are the three names in the frame
Rohit Sharma will not be the MI captain in IPL 2027, but who next?
After four wins and ten defeats in IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians are reportedly thinking of a leadership change.
According to The Indian Express, the team management is not convinced that Hardik Pandya should continue as captain. They have acknowledged that there is a disconnect within the dressing room, and it must be mended as quickly as possible.
Pandya returned to the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024, as MI prepared for a future without Rohit Sharma as their figurehead leader. However, it has not gone smoothly.
In 2024, MI finished last. In 2025, they recovered enough to reach Qualifier 2. In 2026, they are back near the bottom with only four wins. Across 39 matches as MI captain, Pandya has won 15 and lost 24, which translates to a win rate of 38.46 per cent that does not befit a franchise with five IPL titles.
Nonetheless, according to NDTV, Rohit will not make a comeback as the captain, but his opinion will be taken into consideration by the management.
"The next Mumbai Indians captain will be the one who has the blessings of Rohit Sharma. Mumbai realise the mistake they have made. But it will not be Rohit himself," a source told NDTV.
MORE:New MI captain in IPL 2027? Hardik Pandya to lose captaincy after dismal Mumbai Indians campaign in 2026
The report further mentions that Hardik is most likely to leave MI for a fresh start elsewhere.
"Hardik will seek a transfer. It is not just about captaincy but about personal realities as well. Can you work for a company when you don't have a good relation with the management?" he added.
Exploring Mumbai Indians' captaincy options for IPL 2027
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma seems to be the frontrunner in the race. He shares an excellent relationship with Rohit, and at 23, he brings composure beyond his years.
The franchise appears to value building for the future, and Varma fits that vision better than any other name in the squad.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah represents the experience option. A Mumbai Indians pillar for over a decade, he commands respect across the dressing room and has already demonstrated his leadership credentials at the international level as he captained India to a 295-run win over Australia in Perth during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series.
Bumrah remains one of the first names on the team sheet, and his form has hardly let him down. He seems to be a natural fit for the leadership role.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is the transitional candidate. He led India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year and is the current deputy to Pandya. However, his batting form has put his place in the line-up under scrutiny.
At 35, he is not a long-term solution, but as a bridge captain who can guide younger players and work as an interim until a permanent successor is appointed.
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