Can Rohit Sharma once again take over the captaincy for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026? There are no confirmed reports at this time, but the possibility exists.
After the 2023 season, Sharma was sacked as MI captain despite leading the team to five IPL titles. Then, Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya was replaced as the captain for IPL 2024. MI finished tenth in 2024, third in 2025 and currently ninth in 2026.
key points
- Hardik Pandya is reportedly unavailable for the RCB clash due to a back spasm injury.
- Suryakumar Yadav, who earlier captained MI in Hardik’s absence, is also expected to be ruled out of the match.
- Mumbai Indians may now need a third captain for their important match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
- Rohit Sharma had led MI to five IPL titles before being replaced as captain after the 2023 season.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav out – can Rohit Sharma return as captain?
MI’s next match is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 10 in Raipur. The reports available now say that MI’s regular captain Hardik Pandya did not leave for Raipur with the team.
Pandya missed Mumbai’s latest match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 in Mumbai due to back spasms. Suryakumar Yadav replaced Pandya in this match. After Pandya fell ill, Yadav replaced him against Delhi Capitals on April 4.
Now, further reports have claimed that Suryakumar Yadav will also not be available for the clash in Raipur due to family reasons.
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya refuses to travel with MI for RCB clash in IPL 2026
This means MI will have to look for a third captain within their ranks this season. It looks like they will not rely on Rohit Sharma but will take a different approach, as he will most likely be given a chance to lead Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 match against RCB on May 10.
If not Rohit Sharma then who?
On the surface, there are two candidates visible within MI who will take over the reins if Rohit Sharma does not get the command. Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Verma.
Pace ace Bumrah has led India in three Tests (one in England in 2022 and two in Australia in 2024/25) and two T20Is (in Ireland in 2023). Before suffering a serious back injury at the end of 2024, Bumrah was named India’s official vice-captain in Test cricket. But, he is going through a poor run of form and captaincy may not be ideal for him at this time.
Tilak Verma is still only 23 years old, but in