The five-time champions finished at the bottom of the points table after Hardik Pandya's return to the franchise as their leader, earning only four wins in 14 clashes. In the 2026 edition, they experienced the mirror-image results, to be at the ninth rank of the campaign.

Rohit Sharma has 1034 runs under Hardik — But zero titles to show for it

Under the leadership of Hardik, most of the Mumbai Indians have struggled to get going with the bat. The T20 World Cup-winning captain of the 2026 season for India, Suryakumar Yadav, is the leading run-getter during this phase with 1440 runs in 40 innings at a strike rate of around 170 with 10 fifties and two centuries.

India's former captain, Rohit Sharma, has blasted 1034 runs in 37 IPL innings at a strike rate of more than 150 with six fifties and one century, while Tilak Varma has clubbed 1010 runs at a decent strike rate of 146.37, scoring five fifties and one century.

But their middle order hasn't worked as much as they perhaps anticipated. Surya has the most 50+ scores (12) under Hardik's leadership, while Roht and Tilak come in second and third position, respectively.

SKY has nailed 73 sixes in this phase for his overall strike rate of 168.22 in the last three seasons. Rohit has gathered 58 over-boundaries, while Tilak comes at three with 45 sixes.

Most runs for MI under Hardik Pandya's captaincy in IPL

Bumrah carries MI's bowling — While Pandya's 10.54 economy makes his all-round case impossible to defend

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker of the IPL for the Mumbai Indians under the leadership of Hardik. He has picked up 42 wickets in 35 innings at an average of 23.54 and a strike rate of 19.4 with an economy rate of 7.26.

Hardik Pandya set to lose Mumbai Indians captaincy? Inside story of MI's IPL 2026 nightmare revealed

Hardik himself comes in at the second position with 29 wickets at an expensive economy rate of 10.54. His all-round performance hasn't missed under the supreme burden. Trent Boult, meanwhile, has 24 wickets in 20 innings at an average of 28.25.

Most wickets for MI under Hardik Pandya's captaincy in IPL-

646 runs, 29 wickets, Zero fifties — Has Hardik Pandya earned the right to keep the MI captaincy?

Under Hardik's captaincy of the IPL for the Mumbai Indians. Surya has got two Player of the Match awards, while all of Bumrah, Rohit, and Will Jacks have earned two such awards.

The Baroda all-rounder has smashed 646 runs in 35 innings as captain for MI at a strike rate of 147.80 with no fifty on his name, while he has picked up 29 wickets at an economy rate of 10.50 and didn't win a single 'Player of the Match' award.

Hardik Pandya's 'Go' Instagram story after MI's IPL 2026 exit has CSK trade rumours exploding

The issue had also been around the environment of the dressing room.The senior players would have felt bad when the franchise's management called him from a different side and handed over the leadership from the very first season by replacing their most successful captain, Rohit Sharma, who had won five titles.

If the current reports are to be believed, then Hardik is set to lose his captaincy role for the side from the IPL 2027. There is no confirmation whether he would stay in the team only as a player. They could get to India'sJasprit Bumrah for the leadership of the next edition.

'There were enough signs during the season that the team management wasn't keen to retain him as captain. There is a clear buzz in the camp. The coaching staff was very clear in their message to the senior players that wherever they play, they need to be coachable.' The reports claimed.

Whatever happens, under the all-rounder, Mumbai haven't done well and will need a reset to get their glory days back from the 2027 season.