Rohit Sharma is likely to return as Mumbai Indians captain for IPL 2027, with the franchise’s top management leaning towards handing the responsibility back to their most successful skipper. India Today has learnt that Mumbai could turn to Rohit again, putting the spotlight on Hardik Pandya’s future and the franchise’s plans for its next captain.
Rohit led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. However, he was replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2024 season after the all-rounder returned to the franchise from Gujarat Titans.
The change in leadership was a major talking point, but Mumbai finished last in Hardik’s first season as captain. They reached the playoffs in 2025, although the five-time champions have not won the IPL since 2020 and are yet to return to the final.
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma had also emerged as potential candidates for the captaincy, but Mumbai could now prefer to bring back Rohit, who remains the franchise’s most successful leader.
WHAT HAPPENS TO HARDIK PANDYA?
Rohit’s possible return raises questions about Hardik’s future at Mumbai Indians. There have been reports linking the all-rounder with a move to another franchise, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals among the teams mentioned as potential destinations.
Mumbai and Rajasthan were reportedly in discussions over a possible deal involving Hardik, but the talks appeared to reach a standstill at one stage. Any trade would depend on both franchises agreeing on suitable terms, including the player Mumbai could receive in return. There has been no official confirmation of a deal.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is one name that could make sense for Mumbai if a trade with Rajasthan Royals becomes possible. The left-handed opener could strengthen their Indian batting line-up and give the franchise a long-term option at the top of the order.
With Rohit approaching 40, bringing in a younger Indian opener could also help Mumbai prepare for the future. If Rohit eventually decides to stop playing in the IPL, Jaiswal could remain an important part of the team for years to come.
However, this remains a possible scenario rather than a confirmed development. Mumbai’s decision on Hardik will depend on their plans for the squad and the terms of any potential trade.
WHY NOT SURYAKUMAR YADAV OR TILAK VARMA?
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma had also emerged as possible options for Mumbai Indians’ captaincy.
Suryakumar captained the side when Hardik was unavailable last season. He led Mumbai in Delhi and was also in line to take charge in Raipur when Hardik could not play. This had raised the possibility that Suryakumar could become captain if Hardik left the franchise.
However, the situation appears to have changed, with Rohit now reportedly emerging as the leading candidate.
Suryakumar’s leadership record with India had also made him an interesting option. He led India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, but his subsequent exit from the national team’s leadership setup appeared abrupt. No official explanation has been made public, and it remains unclear whether those developments have had any bearing on Mumbai’s thinking.
Tilak, meanwhile, could have been a longer-term option. His recent appointment as India’s T20I vice-captain, with Shreyas Iyer leading the side, had fuelled discussions about his future leadership prospects.
The decision appeared to point towards a possible long-term plan for Tilak in Indian cricket. It also raised the possibility that Mumbai could consider grooming him to become their next captain.
However, the latest reports suggest that the franchise could prefer Rohit’s experience for IPL 2027 rather than hand the responsibility to Hardik, Suryakumar or Tilak.
WHY MUMBAI COULD TURN BACK TO ROHIT
Rohit’s record as Mumbai Indians captain remains his strongest argument. All five of the franchise’s IPL titles came under his leadership, and he was central to the side’s success during that period.
Mumbai have not won the tournament since 2020 and have struggled to return to the final. The change in leadership ahead of the 2024 season has not brought the results the franchise would have hoped for, even though the team returned to the playoffs in 2025.
Hardik’s appointment also coincided with questions about the atmosphere within the dressing room. There were concerns about the team’s unity, body language and the dynamics between the captain and other players. Mumbai appeared to lack some of the fighting spirit that had helped them win titles under Rohit.
While it would be difficult to attribute the team’s struggles to one factor alone, the franchise could now be looking to restore stability by bringing back a captain who understands its culture and has a proven record of success.
Rohit’s return could therefore be an attempt to address both the team’s leadership and its performances. However, a change in captaincy would not automatically solve Mumbai’s problems, and the franchise would still need to ensure that its squad is balanced enough to challenge for the title.
WILL IPL 2027 BE ROHIT’S LAST SEASON?
Rohit’s age is another important consideration for Mumbai Indians. He will turn 40 during the 2027 IPL season, with the ODI World Cup scheduled for later that year.
This raises questions about how long he intends to continue playing in the IPL. Could IPL 2027 be his final season in the tournament, or will he continue beyond it? There is no confirmed indication of his plans for 2028.
If Rohit returns as captain, Mumbai may need to use the coming season to prepare for the next phase of their leadership. Tilak could be one option for the future, while Suryakumar’s experience as captain could also make him a candidate.
Another possibility is that Rohit could take on a greater role in the franchise’s decision-making while continuing to play and captain the side. His experience could allow him to contribute more closely to Mumbai’s planning and management, potentially becoming part of the franchise’s think tank.
However, such a role remains speculative, and Mumbai have not announced any plans in this regard.
For now, the reports suggest that Rohit is emerging as the leading candidate to captain Mumbai Indians in IPL 2027. The franchise still has around six months to finalise its plans, and the situation could change before the new season begins.
But if Mumbai decide to bring him back, they will be returning to the captain who delivered all five of their IPL titles. The bigger question is whether Rohit’s experience can help restore their winning form while also giving the franchise enough time to plan for the future.
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