Indian skipper Hardik Pandya has himself at another major crossroads, with reports suggesting that he is set to leave the Mumbai Indians (MI) following a disappointing IPL 2026 performance by the team.
According to sources, Pandya is mentally stressed and exhausted after the IPL season and has conveyed it to the management about parting ways with the franchise.
Pandya's IPL journey has not been a smooth one, but rather one with tremendous highs and lows. Making his debut in the IPL format in 2015, he has played 162 matches in total. After emerging as a match-winner for the Mumbai Indians during their dominant era from 2015 to 2020, Hardik reached new heights during his two-year stint with the Gujarat Titans, where he made history by leading them to the IPL title in 2022 in their debut year and a runner-up finish in 2023.
The fall
In 2024, he returned to lead the Mumbai Indians as Captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, and became one of the most valuable all-rounders. The management decision to replace long-time captain Rohit Sharma with Pandya triggered intense fan backlash and created enormous pressure in the team environment. Mumbai finished at the bottom of the table in 2024 and showed some improvement in 2025, but the team failed to reclaim its golden era dominance.
The IPL 2026 season proved even more damaging to the franchise and, particularly, Pandya's captaincy. MI showcased one of their worst campaigns, finishing near the bottom of the table, with just four wins from 14 matches.
"From a leadership perspective on Hardik, yes, it has not gone as well as he would have wanted as an individual," Batting coach Kieron Pollard said to PTI.
"It might not have gone how we would have wanted as a management staff. But one thing you (should) know that we have tried each and everything to give him the best opportunity to lead the franchise, to do well." he added.
What remains central to the overall dissatisfying season is the recurring fitness concerns and fluctuating performances that have raised questions about whether he can consistently deliver the impact that once made him irreplaceable.
