The Mumbai Indians (MI) team management are scheduled to meet next week to hold the review for the recently concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). A variety of issues ranging from trade talks involving Hardik Pandya to deciding on the new captain will be discussed during the meeting, as per reports. MI failed to make it the IPL 2026 playoffs and finished at the 9th position on the standings, marking yet another poor season for the five-time champions.
MI to hold season review review next week
As per the Times of India, the top brass of the MI will assemble next week to review coach Mahela Jayawardene’s report on the team’s performance in IPL 2026. Some of the key aspects of the discussion include taking a call on Hardik Pandya‘s potential trade, deciding on who will be the next captain of the franchise, and the future of the former Sri Lankan star as the coach of the franchise.
After failing to take MI to the IPL playoffs for the second time in three years since his return to the franchise, Pandya reportedly communicated to the team his desire to exit the franchise. The all-rounder claimed that he was mentally stressed, and hence wished to move to another team. Since the end of IPL 2026, speculations around Pandya’s potential trade has been rife, with reports claiming that at least seven teams were interested in Hardik. Among the teams who have reportedly expressed interest are Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (with captaincy), and Rajasthan Royals. A report even claimed that SRH and RCB were the only two teams who haven’t shown interest in Pandya.
The report also claims that apart from Hardik, another former India captain’s name has also generated interest among franchises in the trade talks. The other former India skipper could either be Suryakuma Yadav or Rohit Sharma – both players who had a poor season in 2026.
Bumrah vs Tilak for captaincy
The report states that two players have emerged as frontrunners to replace Pandya as the captain – Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma. Both players have been a part of MI since making their IPL debut and have also captained the franchise on some occasions. Seniority wise, Bumrah would be the best option for MI as he hardly misses any IPL games and has played a full season for the franchise over the last decade. He has also been one of the most consistent wicket-taking bowlers for the five-time champions.
Tilak Varma, on the other hand, made his debut for MI in IPL 2022. While he has amassed 300+ runs in every season he has played so far, his returns with the bat in the recent times have been poor. This will make the franchise rethink their decision to consider him as a option. However, MI will also want to have a captain who stays in the position for a long time. Therefore, it remains to be seen who MI will pick between Bumrah and Tilak.
Will Jayawardene face the axe?
For a team that has won five titles, their performance over the last three seasons have been quite average. Ever since Jayawardene returned as MI’s coach, the side finished fourth in IPL 2025 and at the ninth position in IPL 2026. At a time when their arch-rival CSK have parted ways with Stephen Fleming, ending an 18-year-old association in order to hit the reset button, it won’t come as a surprise if MI follow suit and bing down the axe of Jayawardene in order to hit the reset button in a bid to return to their old winning ways.
Cricket
MI to decide Hardik Pandya's fate next week in season review; Jasprit Bumrah vs Tilak Varma for captaincy
