Hardik Pandya, the former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, has joined Punjab Kings in a big trade ahead of IPL 2027. Mumbai Indians now need a new captain.
Five players are in the race. Two of them have led India to a T20 World Cup title. It remains to be seen whether the team management turns to an experienced player or tries someone new.
Rohit Sharma Has Made MI Five-Time Champions
Rohit Sharma, who led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024, has made Mumbai Indians champions five times. Before IPL 2024, however, the management replaced Rohit with Hardik Pandya as captain.
When the Mumbai Indians management sits down to hand over the captaincy, Suryakumar Yadav will also be discussed. He led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2026 and is one of India's most successful captains in the T20 format.
After the 2026 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar was not only removed as captain but also dropped from the India squad. However, Mumbai's domestic side have recently named him captain for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026. Suryakumar is also in the race for the Mumbai Indians captaincy.
Tilak Varma Also in Captaincy Race
Mumbai Indians could turn to Rohit Sharma, but the management may also think about India vice-captain Tilak Varma. His batting in big matches, and the way he has finished games with the lower-order batters, cannot be ignored. Tilak is an important member of the Mumbai side, and if the team looks to the future, his name could be at the top.
Besides Tilak, MI may also consider Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner. Both have captaincy experience at the international level.
Santner is New Zealand's white-ball captain. Under his leadership, the Kiwi side played the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Santner also took his team to the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. However, Rohit Sharma was India's captain on one occasion against him, and Suryakumar Yadav on the other.