The Indian Premier League is set for a major shift, with a few teams poised to overhaul their squads to bring in new combinations. In that list, the Mumbai Indians' name is coming at the top as a PTI report says that Hardik Pandya is set to leave the Mumbai Indians, and he has already conveyed that to the management during mid-season. The second coming for Hardik Pandya has not gone with the plans, and the irreplaceable Indian all-rounder will not wear the blue jersey from the next season.
PTI quoted a source as saying, "Hardik was mentally stressed and completely exhausted. He had also sustained a back injury. In fact, once the play-off hopes were dashed, Hardik informed the decision-makers that he wouldn't be staying back.”
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The source also added, “ Please understand that Hardik is only 32. He returned to MI in 2024 when he was 30. He was booed in the first year, and this season, too, things didn't go according to plan.”
Rift inside the franchise?
The 32-year-old all-rounder rejoined the Mumbai Indians in 2024, and during the whole season, MI fans booed him as they didn’t really like the idea of replacing Rohit as captain. From the very first season, it came to notice that something was off inside the dressing room, and now, when he tried to settle down with the team, shocking reports also came that all senior players were never on the same page after his inclusion.
A team full of stars is leading the Mumbai Indians in another direction; an Indian Express report also confirmed that MI management has asked the senior players to be coachable.
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“There is only so much that a young man can take. The last three years haven't been easy for him. The MI dressing room that he had left in 2021 wasn't the same when he returned in 2024. Not every senior player was on the same page,” said the source.
HARDIK ERA ENDS AS SKIPPER FOR MI.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 28, 2026
- Mumbai Indians set to remove Hardik Pandya as the captain after finishing 9th. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/aSSe8L3DH3
Adding to that, the source said, as quoted by PTI, “ If results come despite divergent views, you still won't feel frustrated. But when everyone pulls in different directions, after a point, you don't have the mental bandwidth to carry on. So, Hardik had decided mid-season that he wouldn't be part of MI next season. One thing is for sure. He is done with MI. Closer to August, one might get some indication about what his next move will be.”
Whether it will be a trade or Hardik will land up into the auction, time will only confirm it.
