Significant changes are expected in the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad before the start of the IPL 2027 season. Earlier reports suggested a possible trade of Hardik Pandya from the team before the auction, but now there are speculations that Hardik Pandya will remain with the Mumbai Indians.
This raises the question of who will lead the team. According to reports published in the Times of India, the management of the Mumbai Indians is preparing for a new phase of team development. Although Rohit Sharma helped Mumbai win five IPL trophies, he does not intend to be captain again but continues to cooperate with the management in selecting a new leader.
Currently, two players stand out in the race for the captaincy: young batter Tilak Verma and experienced bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The team may appoint one of them as captain for the next season.
The Mumbai Indians made serious attempts to send Hardik to another team. Negotiations were held with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who offered Cameron Green from Australia in exchange. However, Mumbai was doubtful about Green's suitability in terms of his physical condition and workload, so the deal did not materialize. Talks with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are also possible, but Chennai is focused on determining its new head coach. According to sources, if a favorable deal is not found, Hardik might stay with Mumbai for another season.
Good news for fans is that Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) will remain part of the Mumbai Indians. Despite the 2026 season not being special for him, the team management does not plan to let him go. Mumbai's philosophy is based on the principle of 'one family,' and they will not exclude such a major player capable of winning matches due to one unsuccessful season.
Furthermore, Mahela Jayawardene will remain the team's head coach for the next year. Since a mega auction is planned after IPL 2027, the Mumbai Indians are trying to avoid too radical changes in the squad at this time.