As they are searching for who is captaining MI then the answer is Hardik Pandya. He captained Mumbai Indians at least as of the 2024 Indian Premier League season, and continued on with those duties post IPL 2025 and IPL 2026.
Hardik Pandya is one of the modern all-rounders, an identity across Indian cricket. He has played for Mumbai Indians over the years and even captained the Gujarat Titans. His quality with the bat, medium-fast bowling, fielding and experience has made him a key member in the Mumbai Indians setup.
Mumbai Indians MI – The Mumbai Indians are regarded as one of the most successful franchises in the history of IPL. They have been the champions of IPL five times, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. MI has been captained in the past by some of cricket’s biggest names such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Rohit Sharma. The coach of the national team in 2024 changed as well – Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma.
Who Is the Captain of MI in 2026?
Mumbai Indians — Hardik Pandya (2026)
He assumed the team’s reins after Rohit Sharma’s long tenure as captain. Having previously led the Gujarat Titans, Pandya was familiar with being captain and this familiarity had set him in good stead ahead of his responsibility for the Mumbai Indians.
On their official IPL team page, Hardik is listed as the Mumbai Indians captain and would also be a part of the core group in regards to the franchises squad information.
That is especially impressive considering his ownership of the Oklahoma City Thunder and an expansion franchise that was formed in 2018. Gujarat Titans Avani Biyawatoption option He captained them in their very first season and went on to guide them to the IPL title in 2022.
Hardik Pandya: Quick Profile
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Hardik Himanshu Pandya |
| Known As | Hardik Pandya |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium-fast |
| IPL Team | Mumbai Indians |
| Captain of MI Since | 2024 |
| Previous IPL Captaincy | Gujarat Titans |
| IPL Captaincy Period | 2022–2026 |
| IPL Captaincy Matches | 70 |
| IPL Captaincy Wins | 37 |
| IPL Captaincy Losses | 33 |
The above figures of captaincy also include Pandya’s IPL captaincy with Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.
When Did Hardik Pandya Become MI Captain?
Mumbai Indians captain: Hardik Pandya (2024 IPL season)
Rohit Sharma captained Mumbai Indians for years before exiting the team prior to appointing Pandya as captain. MI have won five IPL titles under Rohit’s leadership, cementing him as one of the most successful captains in IPL history.
The switch is a significant step forward for the franchise. Pandya had proven leadership skills after his experience with Gujarat Titans and Rohit continued to be an important senior player as a part of the Mumbai Indians squad.
Pandya’s appointment was also a return to the Mumbai Indians leadership group, after his two seasons at Gujarat Titans.
Hardik Pandya’s IPL Captaincy Stats
When we talk about Hardik Pandya professionalism as a captain, then his IPL captaincy record serves the perfect context.
From 2022 to 2026, Pandya reportedly captained a total of 70 IPL games. His teams won 37 games and lost 33 games.
Captaincy Statistics
- IPL matches as captain: 70
- Wins: 37
- Losses: 33
- Captaincy period: 2022–2026
- Team Captained Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians
- MI captaincy period: 2024–2026
From these numbers, his combined IPL captaincy win % stands at approximately 52.9%.
The lists on ESPNcricinfo record Pandya as captain for Mumbai Indians in 39 T20 matches from 2024 to 2026, with a record of 15 wins and 24 losses.
Such numbers just go to show that Pandya has already gained plenty of leadership experience with franchises as captains.
Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya-Mumbai Indians: Hardik’s association with Mumbai Indians as far as IPL is concerned dates back to his initial years in the tournament.
He rose to prominence with Mumbai Indians and carved a niche as an aggressive middle-order batter and handy fast-bowling all-rounder.
His value, however, was especially in T20 cricket given his multi-departmental contributions. He could come in, score quick runs, bowl critical overs and potter around in the field.
It was in 2015 when he hit an unbeaten 61 off 31 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, which will count as one of his early IPL performances that drew a lot of attention.
Pandya gradually transformed from an exciting young all-rounder to a senior international player and IPL captain.
Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans Leadership
Hardik Pandya’s record as first captain in Gujarat Titans before replacing Rohit Sharma in Mumbai Indians captaincy.
Pandya was made captain for the franchise’s maiden season with IPL newcomers Gujarat Titans in 2022.
The 2022 season became a key part of how Pandya’s leadership story unfolded. In what was GT’s first season, they managed to win the IPL title against Rajasthan Royals in a one-sided final.
Thus, Pandya took on the role of captain for Mumbai Indians with prior experience in leading an IPL franchise to the title.
He captained Gujarat once more in 2023 when the team got to the final again.
It provided Pandya with an insight into many leadership aspects, from tactical calls to team combinations and bowling changes to field placements and even personnel management for players coming in from different cricketing cultures.
Why Is Hardik Pandya Important to MI?
Then there is Hardik Pandya, whose value to Mumbai Indians comes not least from the fact that he is an allrounder.
Typically, a specialist batter or bowler will only contribute in one discipline. The areas he can make an impact in matches.
1. Batting
Pandya is the ideal middle-order batter who can change it during the middle and death overs.
MI also have an additional option to increase the rate when required, with his ability to keep the scoreboard ticking.
2. Bowling
Mumbai Indians also have one more medium fast bowling option as they can include Pandya, who bowls right arm.
His presence lends the team different combinations as per pitch conditions and opposition.
3. Fielding
In addition to this, Pandya is also a good fielder. Fielding is still an important aspect of team performance when it comes to T20 cricket, a format in which games are often decided by worse margins than a forty-run win.
4. Leadership
He is the captain and thus more than just his performance will add to his onus.
He has to decide about batting order, bowlers to use, fielders to keep on the ground and players that can be used at different points of a match.
Hardik Pandya’s Role in IPL 2026
The Mumbai Indians captaincy was retained by Hardik Pandya as stand-in captain in the 2026 IPL.
The hardest was his role during the season as MI captain which the official IPL match reports repeatedly identified him. He has captained Mumbai Indians in their first match of IPL, opening against the Kolkata Knight Riders and winning the toss, opting to chase.
Pandya also had some good performances in the 2026 campaign. He scored 40 off 20 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, followed by a cameo of 34 runs in just 15 balls towards the end for MI’s final home game of the season against Rajasthan Royals.
The regular season ended with four wins from 14 matches for Mumbai Indians, who placed ninth overall, as per the ESPNcricinfo record for the campaign of 2026.
This demonstrates that captaincy is only one piece of the puzzle for overall team performance. A captain cannot coach alone, working with coaches, players and support teams to find the right mix is part of cricket; factors affecting results are endless over a long tournament.
Who Was the Captain of MI Before Hardik Pandya?
Mumbai Indians were led by Rohit Sharma until Hardik Pandya took over as captain.
Read | On this day: October 27, Rohit Sharma became one of the defining characters in Mumbai Indians history. Mumbai Indians was previously led by him, which resulted in the following five IPL titles:
- 2013
- 2015
- 2017
- 2019
- 2020
Rohit’s time as captain saw Mumbai Indians become one of the strongest franchises in IPL history.
At the time of Pandya’s taking over as captain in 2024, many senior players were still around, such as Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav.
Hardik Pandya vs Rohit Sharma as MI Captains
One such high-profile captaincy change in Mumbai Indians history was when Rohit Sharma handed over the reins to Hardik Pandya.
Rohit had years of experience in international and IPL leadership to this role. Pandya, on the other hand, came from a success story of captaincy himself with Gujarat Titans.
The two players are also different kinds of cricketer. Rohit is a top-order batter whereas Pandya is an all-rounder who comes down the batting order and can bowl too.
This marks a particularly intriguing aspect of the captaincy role that is assumed for Pandya because he not only can impact tactical decisions but also get involved with what happens next through batting and bowling.
MI Captain Hardik Pandya: Key Stats
Below are the key stats related to the IPL captaincy of Hardik Pandya:
IPL captaincy record through 2026:
- Matches: 70
- Wins: 37
- Losses: 33
- Win percentage: approximately 52.9%
- IPL captaincy began: 2022
- Mumbai Indians captaincy began: 2024
- Teams captained in the IPL Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians
As per the list managed by ESPNcricinfo, he (Rohit) has led Mumbai Indians to 15 wins against 24 losses in 39 matches.
Note: These numbers can vary in IPL editions beyond October 2023, and readers should remember to refer to updated IPL records for later seasons before using the stats.
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Who Is the Captain of MI in the IPL?
The simple answer is:
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (India)
He also led MI as captain from 2024 to 2026 during which Gray joined the franchise in IPL 2025.
His rise from a Mumbai Indians player to an IPL-winning captain, and then a return as MI’s leader is pivotal in his cricketing journey.
Summary
So, who is the captain of MI? The answer is Hardik Pandya.
Rohit Sharma led the Mumbai Indians and Pandya took over as the captain of MI in 2024. With prior IPL captaincy experience leading Gujarat Titans to the 2022 IPL title, he already had a background with leadership in the IPL.
Pandya an all-rounder can chip in with the bat, ball and in the field along with captaincy franchise. He captained a total of 70 IPL matches till the end of the 2026 IPL season, winning 37 and losing 33.
Mumbai Indians is one of the most decorated franchises in the IPL, and Hardik Pandya is another chapter to an extensive history of leadership.
FAQs
1. Mumbai Indians captain for 2026?
The 2026 IPL season sees Hardik Pandya as captain of Mumbai Indians
2. Was Hardik Pandya not the first captain of MI in IPL 2023?
Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain in 2024
3. When did Hardik Pandya captain MI?
Hardik was the MI captain before IPL 2024 season
4. IPL Matches Captaincy is Held by Hardik Pandya?
Hardik Pandya has captained 70 IPL matches from the 2026 season, winning 37 of them and losing the remaining 33.
5. Has Hardik Pandya ever won IPL as a captain?
Yes. Pandya guided the Gujarat Titans to their first IPL title in the franchise’s debut season of 2022.
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