Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya in MI colours | PC- AFP
Mumbai Indians (MI) could look back to their former and most successful captain, Rohit Sharma, to take over the reins for IPL 2027.
The franchise traded in Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans, but the move failed big time for the five-time champions.
Hardik Pandya agrees to play under Rohit at MI
According to a report by The Indian Express, Hardik Pandya has agreed to play under Rohit Sharma's captaincy at Mumbai Indians if they don't trade him to another franchise.
"If Pandya’s trade doesn’t take place, it is learnt that the player has agreed to play under Rohit’s captaincy," the report stated.
In the last week or so, Mumbai have reshuffled the entire backroom staff, handing the head coach post to Kieron Pollard. Meanwhile, the likes of Robin Uthappa, Mitchell McClenaghan, Dhawal Kulkarni and T Dilip have been given positions in MI’s coaching team.
Moreover, the joint most successful IPL franchise is reportedly in talks over the Hardik Pandya trade, but apparently, none of those talks has materialised yet.
Will Rohit Sharma take back MI captaincy?
Reportedly, Rohit Sharma suggested Tilak Varma as a potential captaincy candidate to the franchise.
The franchise wants to reinstate him after three trophy-less seasons with Hardik Pandya, although skipper Rohit also went empty-handed on three consecutive attempts before that.
“Rohit initially had suggested Tilak Varma’s name but the franchise has requested him to take over captaincy which he has now agreed. There were series of talks that had happened before him flying to New Zealand,” the Indian Express report stated.
Mumbai and Rohit have apparently discussed it, before the star opener flew to New Zealand for the upcoming ODI series. Moreover, the two parties spoke midway through IPL 2026, during MI’s struggles.
“Mumbai wanted Rohit to take over the franchise captaincy from Hardik Pandya midway through the last IPL when the franchise was struggling,” it added.
Under Rohit, MI had a complete turnaround, winning five trophies in eight years.
It would be interesting to see whether Rohit would take back the captaincy, as taking it back hasn’t been a good tradition atleast in IPL cricket.
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