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 an 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.
More to follow…
