Hardik Pandya's tenure as the Mumbai Indians (MI) is set to end as the star all-rounder is set to be axed from the top job after another disastrous campaign for the five-time champions following a ninth-place finish in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise won just four games this season and avoided a wooden spoon by a whisker due to having a slightly better Net Run Rate (NRR) than Lucknow Super Giants.
This marked the second time in three seasons that MI had failed to qualify for the playoffs in Hardik's tenure. In the Indian cricket superstar's first season in charge of the franchise in 2024, they had finished in last spot (10) in the table. There was a improvement in 2025 as they reached the second qualifier, but things went haywire again in 2026.
Hardik Pandya's Controversial Tenure As MI Captain
The developments have come in a controversial three-year tenure for MI as captain after replacing five-time IPL-winning skipper Rohit Sharma. The latter had led the franchise for a decade and lifted the trophy in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Hardik was booed across stadiums in the country after joining MI in a trade deal from Gujarat Titans (GT) and immediately being named captain. There were also indications of a dressing-room mutiny, with Rohit evidently not happy with the decision to axe, while Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah were also viewed as potential captaincy options before Hardik rejoined the team. The star all-rounder led the Titans in 2022 and 2023 and played the final in both years, including a title win in his debut season as captain.
Meanwhile, a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI) has made an explosive claim and suggested that Hardik was unhappy at senior players at MI. The published information stated that the two-time T20 World Cup winner was 'deeply hurt' at senior players who demanded 100% for him while playing T20Is for India in their leadership but not doing the same under his captaincy at MI.
PTI has also claimed that Hardik is set to leave the franchise and conveyed his decision to the top management of the franchise mid-season after it was clear that the five-time winners would qualify for the playoffs. It has been claimed that the player is 'mentally stressed,' and he has found it difficult to lead the franchise, which is pulling in different directions with all players not on the same page with him.
Now what remains to be seen if Hardik enters the auction or is part of a trade deal again. He currently earns a salary of ₹16.35 crore at MI.
Among star player that have failed to perform at their best since Hardik tok over as captain is the player himself. Since his return to MI in 2024, he has
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