IPL 2026: Tilak Varma recommended for MI captaincy, franchise set to ‘phase out’ senior batter after disastrous season

The Mumbai Indians captaincy saga sees yet another revelation after Hardik Pandya’s tumultuous tenure as skipper of the franchise was reported to come to an end after a disastrous ninth-placed finish in IPL 2026.

The five-time champions finished the season with just eight points from four wins in 14 games, and the only thing saving them from a bottom finish was their superior net run rate over the Lucknow Super Giants. In the aftermath, it was reported that Pandya is set to lose the captaincy, with his future at the franchise still unresolved.

In a recent report published by The Times of India, a source revealed that a senior player suggested Tilak Varma’s name as a potential candidate for captaincy in the following IPL season. Along with this, Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India to their 2026 T20 World Cup triumph and stood in at Mumbai Indians for Hardik in his absence, and Jasprit Bumrah, who led the side against the Punjab Kings, are also being looked at as potential candidates.

“During a mid-season review, a senior player suggested that India’s young batter Tilak Varma, who has been with MI for a few years now, is the ideal person to be appointed captain next year. However, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who made his IPL captaincy debut for MI this season in one game, are also MI captaincy candidates,” the source said as per a report by the Times of India.

Despite finishing the season with 359 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 145.93, Tilak played two vital knocks under pressure – a magnificent century against the Gujarat Titans and a brilliant unbeaten 75 off 33 balls in a high-pressure run-chase against the Kings. He has played his trade for MI since making his debut in 2022, scoring 1858 runs at a strike rate of 144.70.
 
The source further stated that the franchise is also looking to ‘phase out’ a senior batter and give him a different role. A similar process was undertaken with West Indian all-rounder Keiron Pollard, who has served as the team’s batting coach since 2023.

“The management is also likely to phase out a senior batter and give him a ‘different’ role. Basically, MI need a reset, and that refresh button needs to be pressed as soon as possible,” the source added.