Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]The Mumbai Indians franchise, as per a recent report, has shut down all rumours regarding the potential return of Rohit Sharma as team captain. Earlier in the day, several reports claimed that Sharma will resume Mumbai Indians captaincy for the IPL 2027 season next year. It is worth noting that the legendary opening batter was sacked as Mumbai Indians skipper back in late 2023 in favour of longtime teammate and seasoned all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, the franchise failed to reach the final on each of the three occasions since then.Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians Captaincy DismissedSeveral reports have claimed that Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been considered for trade by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2027. As reported by NDTV on October 13, the Mumbai Indians sources have claimed that no suitable deal has been found for the legendary all-rounder yet.ALSO READRohit Sharma Reacts To KKR Trade From MI After Live ApproachAmid trade talks for Pandya, another report claimed that Rohit Sharma was once again considered for Mumbai Indians captaincy by the franchise. However, the franchise sources also denied this possibility, claiming that no internal discussion has taken place within the team management regarding its captaincy status for IPL 2027."Amid reports of Mumbai Indians turning back to Rohit Sharma for the captaincy, franchise sources have confirmed to NDTV that there is no truth to such speculation. The sources clarified that no internal discussions regarding the captain for the next Indian Premier League season have taken place yet. They also confirmed that the franchise is exploring the possibility of trading Hardik Pandya and is open to proposals” as per the exclusive report by NDTV.Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma frontrunners to lead MIIt is worth noting that Rohit Sharma is not in consideration to get re-appointed as Mumbai Indians skipper in the first place. As per reports, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma are the frontrunners to lead the franchise in the IPL 2027 season if Hardik Pandya gets traded off to another team.New Zealand skipper and legendary all-rounder Mitchell Santner is also in contention to become new Mumbai Indians captain.Notably, both Suryakumar Yadav and Mitchell Santner crossed paths in the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year as captain of their respective national teams, with the former successfully leading Team India to a historic world title.Suryakumar also led the Mumbai Indians team at the IPL 2026 season this year at an interim basis in place of injured all-rounder and regular captain Hardik Pandya. Tilak Varma, meanwhile, is currently serving Team India as its vice-captain under regular and senior pro Shreyas Iyer.Interestingly, Rohit Sharma is the joint-most successful skipper in the history of the IPL for leading Mumbai Indians to five titles. However, the legendary opener was sacked after the IPL 2023 season after failing to lead his side to a title victory in three successive editions.Hardik Pandya, who started off as Gujarat Titans skipper with a historic win in 2022, re-joined Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024 season and was straightaway appointed as Sharma’s captaincy replacement.ALSO READWatch- Qais Ahmed Recreates Gulbadin Naib's Iconic T20 World Cup Moment
