"Relieve Him of the Burden": Why Wasim Jaffer Wants Hardik Pandya Replaced as MI Captain

Questions over Hardik Pandya’s future as Mumbai Indians Captain have intensified following the franchise’s disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, with former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer suggesting that the all-rounder may not continue in the leadership role next season. Mumbai Indians endured a difficult season, finishing ninth in the 10-team points table after managing just eight points and suffering a heavy defeat in their final league match against Rajasthan Royals. The result marked their 10th loss in 14 games, leading to renewed scrutiny of both team performance and leadership decisions.

Pandya also had a subdued individual season, scoring 146 runs in eight innings and taking only three wickets. His form has become a focal point of criticism, with analysts and fans debating whether the added pressure of captaincy may have impacted his all-round contributions.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Wasim Jaffer said he would retain Pandya as a player but would not continue with him as captain. Jaffer argued that the franchise should allow the all-rounder to focus on his individual performance rather than leadership responsibilities. However, he also acknowledged the difficulty of identifying a suitable replacement at this stage, noting that no clear candidate stands out for the role.

Despite speculation around leadership changes, Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard defended Pandya and stressed that the team’s struggles were a collective failure rather than the responsibility of a single individual. Pollard said the management had provided full support to the captain throughout the season and rejected the idea of placing blame solely on him.From a leadership perspective, Pollard admitted that the season had not gone as expected for Pandya, either personally or as captain, but emphasised that the franchise had worked collectively to create the best possible environment for success. He reiterated that the team’s poor performance should be viewed as a group outcome rather than an individual shortcoming.

Also Read: R Ashwin Criticises Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 Performance, Highlights Team Failures

The franchise’s early exit has now triggered wider discussions about possible structural changes ahead of the next IPL season, including leadership reassessment and squad rebuilding. However, no official decision has been announced regarding Pandya’s captaincy, and discussions within the franchise are expected to continue in the coming months. As Mumbai Indians reflect on one of their most underwhelming seasons in recent years, attention is likely to shift toward how the five-time champions regroup and address both performance inconsistencies and leadership questions ahead of the next campaign.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Kieron Pollard Says Mumbai Indians Did Everything Possible For Hardik Pandya