![Tilak Varma joins Rohit Sharma in MI captaincy race [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793293933442_TilakVarmaRohitSharma.jpg?type=hq)
Tilak Varma joins Rohit Sharma in MI captaincy race [Source: AFP]
Mumbai Indians’ captaincy race has gotten interesting after a complete overhaul of the coaching setup in recent days. Kieron Pollard has taken over the reins as head coach, while Hardik Pandya looks more out than in, as trade rumours continue to grow.
Leading up to the auction, it is widely reported that Rohit Sharma is in contention to return as captain. Interestingly, Tilak Varma seems to have joined the race for the race in recent days.
Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma in contention for MI captaincy
Before the five-time champions parted ways with Mahela Jayawardene and replaced him with Pollard, only Rohit Sharma’s name was reported for a dramatic comeback to the captaincy. However, MI management wanted to sort out the coaching situation before zeroing in on a new leader.
According to PTI’s Kushan Sarkar, it is now learnt that Tilak Varma has joined his former captain in the captaincy race. Owner Akash Ambani, Kieron Pollard and senior official Rahul Sanghvi will make the final call on whether Rohit Sharma returns as captain following his controversial removal in 2024, or Tilak Varma becomes the franchise’s new face.
Rohit will be a safe choice, with a plethora of experience, heading into the final year of the cycle, before the next mega-auction. On the other hand, Tilak Varma’s stature has grown significantly in recent months after he became India’s T20I vice-captain and is just 23.
Two other senior players, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, who have also led MI as stand-in captains, are reportedly not in contention for the captaincy.
Hardik trade seems imminent
Hardik Pandya’s return to MI has not gone as the franchise or the player would have wished. Since his trade from Gujarat Titans, MI have finished 10th and 9th in 2024 and 2026, respectively, while only narrowly qualifying for the playoffs in 2025.
His abrupt announcement as captain also left a sour taste in the mouths of MI and Rohit Sharma fans, and since the end of IPL 2026, he has been constantly linked to a trade. IPL sources hinted to PTI that he could soon be leaving the team, as the potential trade remains out of his hands.
