New Delhi, November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have said they will take their time in selecting a captain for the 2027 season after trading Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in exchange for left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh on Wednesday.
The move leaves MI without a captain after Pandya led the side in the last two seasons. While Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are being discussed as possible contenders, the franchise has indicated that it will not rush its decision.
“As Mumbai Indians look ahead to the upcoming season, the franchise will take a considered approach to evaluating its captaincy options. An announcement regarding the team’s captaincy will be made at the appropriate time,” the franchise said in a statement.
The captaincy decision will be a key part of MI’s preparations ahead of the November 17 retention deadline and the IPL mini-auction scheduled to be held in Goa on December 16.
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Pandya’s departure brings an end to a long association with MI. He joined the franchise as a young player in 2015, developed into a leading T20 all-rounder and played a major role in four of its title-winning campaigns. After captaining Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, he returned to MI in 2024 as captain.
MI owner Akash Ambani thanked Pandya for his contribution, saying: “Hardik has shared some very special moments with Mumbai Indians. We have seen him grow as a cricketer, make his mark on the world stage and then return to lead the team.”
Pandya’s fee has increased from Rs 16.35 crore at MI to Rs 18 crore at PBKS, while Arshdeep will move to MI on his existing Rs 18 crore fee. Pandya has scored 2,955 runs and taken 82 wickets in 162 IPL matches.
Arshdeep leaves PBKS after an eight-season stint, having made his IPL debut for the franchise in 2019. He is the team’s highest wicket-taker, with 111 wickets in 96 matches. He took 21 wickets in the 2025 season and 14 in 2026. He also holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in men’s T20Is.
Ambani said Arshdeep’s arrival would strengthen MI’s bowling attack and welcomed him to the franchise. The left-arm pacer is expected to partner Jasprit Bumrah and provide options in both the new-ball and death-overs phases.
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