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Rohit Sharma or Suryakumar Yadav: Who will lead Mumbai Indians in IPL 2027?

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Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma (Source: Instagram/ @surya_14kumar)

Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma (Source: Instagram/ @surya_14kumar)

Mr Cricket UAE Staff

Mr Cricket UAE Staff

Published - 11 Nov 2026, 10:59 AM Read time - 2 mins

Hardik Pandya’s trade to Punjab Kings (PBKS) has left the captaincy spot vacant in Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2027. Pandya joins PBKS at an increased fee of INR 18 crore, while Arshdeep Singh joins MI for his existing fee of INR 18 crore as the two teams complete a high-profile player trade ahead of the IPL 2027 player retention deadline.

With Pandya’s departure, MI are now in search of a captain for the upcoming season. There are four possible captaincy options for the five-time champions heading into the upcoming edition of the T20 extravaganza. The first is veteran opener Rohit Sharma, who took MI to unprecedented heights after being handed over the leadership mantle by Ricky Ponting in 2013.

Rohit has led MI to all of their five IPL titles and is the joint-most successful captain in the tournament, in terms of trophies, along with MS Dhoni. Rohit has captained MI in 158 matches and won 87 games, winning titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Rohit stepped down from captaincy ahead of the 2024 edition as Hardik Pandya took over the leadership duties of the team. Apart from him, the other contender for MI’s leadership is Suryakumar Yadav.

Suryakumar also has a brilliant record as captain, having not lost a T20I series as an India skipper and having led the team to its third T20 World Cup triumph in 2026. He has captained MI in five matches and won two games.

Another captaincy option for the five-time champions is fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Having led India at international level, Bumrah also has captaincy experience and even led Mumbai Indians in one match in the 2026 season, winning against Punjab Kings. 

Rohit front-runner to lead MI

If MI are looking at a long-term captaincy option, Tilak Varma also emerges as another candidate. The 24-year-old has become a vital cog in the team ever since his debut in 2022 and has led India A teams.

However, Rohit Sharma seems to be the frontrunner to take up the leadership role, with multiple reports suggesting his return to captaincy. A video of Mitchell Santner addressing Rohit as skipper after the New Zealand vs India third ODI in Hamilton has further fueled the speculation of his re-appointment as Mumbai Indians’ captain.