Why the Mumbai Indians (MI), with a whole lot of talent inside the team, have been failing to produce significant results season after season has become a mystery. MI was one of the first teams to get eliminated from the IPL 2026 title race. They have finished 9th in the points table in the ongoing season.
After another disastrous season, there were multiple reports claiming Hardik Pandya is all set to leave the franchise ahead of the next season. But there are some contrasting reports around the team’s backstage scenario.
Contrasting reports on Hardik Pandya?
There is no second opinion that as the leader of the troop, Pandya is liable to confront the failure from the front. But, it is the duty of the entire management to find out where the team lacked the most, was it only because of the skipper or something else?
Some of the claims across social media platforms point out that it was Hardik who was the main reason behind MI’s underwhelming stint in IPL 2026, while some say that it was a collective effort by some of the players inside the team.
Conspiracy behind Pandya?
Abhishek Tripathi, a Dainik Jagran reporter, hints at a conspiracy behind Hardik Pandya. Tripathi claims that there are four players inside the team who were not providing any support to the skipper. If the claims are to be believed, then there is a trust issue with Hardik inside the team
“I’ve been saying from the start that Hardik wasn’t getting support from some players. If the Mumbai Indians want to win, they have only two options. One... either remove Hardik from the team... or two, remove those four players. Those four didn’t perform well under Hardik’s captaincy,” Tripathi’s ‘X’ post reads.
मैं शुरू से कह रहा था हार्दिक को कुछ खिलाड़ियों का साथ नहीं मिल रहा था। मुंबई इंडियंस को अगर जीतना है तो उनके पास दो ही विकल्प हैं। एक.. या तो हार्दिक को टीम से हटाया जाए... दूसरा उन चार खिलाड़ियों को हटाया जाए। उन चारों ने हार्दिक की कप्तानी में अच्छा प्रदर्शन नहीं किया। निश्चित…
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) May 29, 2026
Kushan Sarkar, a PTI journalist, comes up with a different version of the team’s downfall in the recent past. In reply to Tripathi’s claims, Sarkar mentions that it was Hardik Pandya himself who wanted to take himself out of the club. According to Sarkar’s social media post, as soon as the Mumbai Indians were disqualified from the IPL 2026 title race, Pandya informed management that he would not stay in the club for the next season.
Why should Hardik Pandya want to leave MI?
There are some valid points. Hardik’s stint as the Gujarat Titans skipper was admirable. He is among some of the players who helped India to claim multiple ICC events, including the T20 World Cup.
Ahead of the next IPL season, teams like the Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, or even the Chennai Super Kings could be in search of a new leader. If Hardik Pandya leaves the Mumbai Indians officially, then he can get some great deals, as well as brand new opportunities.
“Jab Play-off ke chances khatm ho gayi, uske baad hi Hardik ne MI management ko inform kar diya thaa he won't stay back. Dekho, KKR, DC, and LSG all 3 will require new captains. And also don't discount CSK. HP will be in demand (Once MI’s playoff chances were over, Hardik had already informed the management that he wouldn’t be staying back. Look at the teams in need of new captains — KKR, DC, and LSG all require one. And don’t rule out CSK either. Hardik Pandya will definitely be in demand,” this is what Sarkar claims in his ‘X’ post.
Jab Play-off ke chances khatm ho gayi, uske baad hi Hardik ne MI management ko inform kar diya thaa he wont stay back. Dekho, KKR, DC, LSG all 3 will require new captains. And also don't discount CSK. HP will be in demand.
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) May 29, 2026
AS far as MI, I think @ImRo45 should be made skipper for… https://t.co/yls5fqJain
Claims are different, but one thing is in common: Hardik Pandya is set to leave the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027.
Read More: Why is Hardik Pandya being sacked as Mumbai Indians captain?
