Hardik Pandya has had two abysmal seasons as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI). This includes the ongoing season, where the five-time champions are sitting at No. 9 on the points table. Having won only three out of 11 matches, MI have already been eliminated. The last three matches are a mere formality for them and a chance to avoid finishing at the bottom of the points table for the second time in three seasons.
In IPL 2026, the 32-year-old Hardik has played eight matches, scoring just 146 runs at an average of 20.86 and a strike rate of 136.45. His performance with the ball has been all the more underwhelming. He has bagged just four wickets at an average of 61.50 and an economy rate of 11.90.
Last week, reports were suggesting a rift between Hardik and the MI management. Speculations amplified when Hardik was seen posting videos of intense training sessions on social media at a time when the MI camp maintained that he was recovering from back spasms. The Choryasi-born missed the last two matches against Lucknow Super Giants and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. On Thursday, May 14, he failed to make a comeback to the side in the game against the Punjab Kings. While Suryakumar Yadav led in the last two games, Jasprit Bumrah has taken charge against the Kings as India’s T20I captain is unavailable due to personal reasons.
Coming back to Hardik, the star all-rounder’s future at the Mumbai Indians was considered to be uncertain. Some reports suggested that he was going to be traded after the season. However, a latest report from Cricbuzz mentions that the Baroda stalwart will continue at MI.
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With the season still ongoing, the Mumbai-based franchise is neither entertaining nor discussing any possibility of a trade, and Hardik is expected to continue with MI for the foreseeable future. Incidentally, Hardik returned to MI ahead of IPL 2024 through a high-profile trade move from the Gujarat Titans.
