With Hardik Pandya heading to Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians must find a new leader for IPL 2027.
Mumbai Indians endured two difficult campaigns in the last three seasons under Hardik Pandya, winning just four matches from 14 in both IPL 2024 and IPL 2026. The franchise finished last in 2024 and ninth in 2026.
The situation changed significantly when MI traded Pandya to Punjab Kings, with Arshdeep Singh coming the other way. The franchise now needs to confirm a new captain ahead of IPL 2027, and three names stand out as the strongest candidates.
3. Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma, 24, is widely regarded as the future of Mumbai Indians' leadership. Rohit Sharma reportedly put forward Varma's name when MI management first raised the captaincy question, underlining how highly the franchise rates the young left-hander. Varma currently holds the vice-captaincy of the India T20I side, which adds further weight to his credentials. Does the franchise feel that he can take up the pressure of captaincy without letting it affect his batting? It will be interesting to find out.