Rohit Sharma is likely to return as Mumbai Indians captain for IPL 2027. The franchise is leaning towards handing the role back to its most successful skipper after recent struggles. Rohit led the team to five titles between 2013 and 2020. Hardik Pandya took charge in 2024, but results fell.
Rohit Sharma is likely to return as Mumbai Indians captain for IPL 2027, with the franchise reportedly leaning towards handing the role back to its most successful skipper. Rohit led Mumbai to five IPL titles before Hardik Pandya took over ahead of the 2024 season.
Rohit's possible return comes after a difficult period for Mumbai Indians, who have struggled to maintain the consistency that made them one of the most successful teams in the tournament. The franchise won its last IPL title in 2020 and has since been unable to add to its trophy collection.
Rohit remains central to Mumbai's history, having led the team to titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Handing him the captaincy again could give the franchise a familiar leader as it looks to get back on track.
Hardik took charge in 2024 after returning to Mumbai from Gujarat Titans. The change was a major talking point at the time, but Mumbai finished last that season before reaching the playoffs in 2025. Their struggles have once again put the spotlight on the team's leadership.
WHAT HAPPENS TO HARDIK PANDYA?
Rohit's likely return raises questions about Hardik's future at Mumbai Indians. There has been speculation about the all-rounder moving to another franchise, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals among the teams linked with him.
Any potential move would depend on the franchises agreeing on suitable terms. Mumbai would also have to consider which player could come their way in a trade. There has been no official confirmation of a deal involving Hardik.
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma are other names that could have figured in Mumbai's leadership plans. Suryakumar captained the team when Hardik was unavailable last season, while Tilak has emerged as an important player for both Mumbai and India.
Tilak's appointment as India's T20I vice-captain has also added to the discussion around his future leadership prospects. However, Mumbai now appear more likely to turn to Rohit rather than hand the responsibility to a younger player.
ROHIT'S RETURN COULD BE A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION
Rohit's age is another factor Mumbai will have to consider. He will turn 40 during the 2027 IPL season, with the ODI World Cup also scheduled for later that year.
That raises questions about how long he intends to continue playing in the IPL. If Rohit returns as captain, Mumbai may also need to prepare a successor who can take charge in the coming seasons.
Tilak could be one of the options for the future, while Suryakumar's experience as captain makes him another name to consider. For now, though, Rohit's experience and record with Mumbai make him a strong candidate for the role.
Mumbai have won all five of their IPL titles under Rohit, and his return could help restore some stability to the team. The franchise will also hope to address the issues that have affected its performances in recent seasons.
With around six months remaining before IPL 2027, Mumbai still have time to finalise their plans. But Rohit Sharma is likely to return as captain, with the franchise seemingly ready to go back to the man who led it to its most successful period.