Ravichandran Ashwin wants Rohit Sharma back as MI captain, gives big advice on Hardik Pandya

Ravichandran Ashwin wants Rohit Sharma back as MI captain, gives big advice on Hardik Pandya

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Mumbai Indians prediction: Rohit Sharma could return as captain while Hardik Pandya stays

Ravichandran Ashwin has offered Mumbai Indians a potential way to manage two major questions ahead of IPL 2027: who should lead the team, and what should happen with Hardik Pandya? The former India spinner believes the franchise could consider restoring Rohit Sharma as captain while retaining Hardik as a player.

The suggestion comes amid speculation about Hardik’s future in Mumbai following the end of IPL 2026. Reports have floated the possibility of him leaving the franchise, while discussion has also grown around Rohit potentially returning to the captaincy. Ashwin’s view is that Mumbai may not need to choose between the two players immediately. Instead, a leadership change could allow the team to keep Hardik’s all-round skills while giving him a different role.

Why Ashwin believes Mumbai should think carefully before trading Hardik

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Mumbai should first consider how difficult it would be to find a like-for-like replacement for Hardik. The India all-rounder offers a combination of batting, seam bowling and experience that is not easy to replicate in the player market. Losing him could therefore leave a significant gap in the squad, particularly if the franchise cannot find another player with a similar skill set.

“If I were the Mumbai Indians, I would be thinking about who could replace Hardik Pandya if I traded him. Who is a like-for-like replacement? There is no one,” Ashwin said. He added that keeping Hardik at the franchise and helping him rediscover his best form could be a sensible option.

In Ashwin’s prediction, Rohit’s return as captain could help create that opportunity. Hardik would remain an important member of the playing group, but the pressure and responsibilities of leading the side could be removed. Whether that arrangement would suit both players, however, would need to be discussed openly by Hardik and the franchise.

Injuries and confidence add to Hardik’s situation

Hardik’s recurring injury problems are another important part of the conversation. Ashwin noted that repeated fitness setbacks, combined with public scrutiny, can make it harder for a player to feel settled. For an all-rounder expected to contribute in multiple areas, managing workload and confidence is especially important.

“At the end of the day, a player would want to be happy and play cricket. He would want to be in a happy space,” Ashwin said, stressing that Hardik and Mumbai must make the decision together.

Hardik has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2026 because of his injury concerns, according to the original report. That absence makes his preparation and fitness status key issues for the next season. Mumbai will need to weigh his value to the team against the practical questions around availability, workload and the best way to use him.

Removing the captaincy would not automatically solve those challenges, but it could allow Hardik to focus more directly on his cricket. A less complicated role might give him room to build rhythm as a batter and bowler without carrying the additional demands that come with leading a high-profile IPL team.

Could Rohit regain the Mumbai Indians captaincy?

A return to the captaincy would be a major development for Rohit, who has a long history with Mumbai and previously led the franchise through several successful IPL campaigns. Ashwin believes Rohit would have the respect of the dressing room if the team chose to make the change.

That familiarity could matter in a squad containing senior Indian players such as Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom have played under Rohit. A leadership transition involving a familiar figure may be easier to manage than appointing someone who has to establish authority from the beginning. Still, Mumbai would need to consider the views and ambitions of its senior players before making any decision.

Ashwin also questioned whether captaincy would be a major priority for Bumrah, while noting Rohit’s standing within the group. His comments point to a broader issue for Mumbai: choosing a captain is not only about tactical ability. It is also about dressing-room relationships, player buy-in and the team’s wider plans.

Hardik could still leave if the partnership stops working

Ashwin did not rule out a move away from Mumbai. He suggested that if Hardik feels he has given the arrangement enough time and the situation is still not working, he could decide that a fresh start elsewhere is the right choice.

“If Hardik feels that he has given it enough time, has struggled, and things are not working out for him, then there is a greater chance of him moving elsewhere,” Ashwin said.

That possibility leaves Mumbai with a delicate decision before IPL 2027. Retaining Hardik would preserve a rare all-round option, but it would only be worthwhile if the player and franchise agree on his role and are confident they can move forward together. A trade, meanwhile, could provide resources or a different squad balance, but replacing Hardik’s combination of skills would be difficult.

What Ashwin’s prediction means for Mumbai Indians

Ashwin’s proposal is best understood as an option for Mumbai to explore, not confirmation that Rohit will return as captain or that Hardik will stay. The franchise will have to assess player fitness, team balance, leadership preferences and its plans for the next season before reaching a decision.

For supporters, the central question is whether a change in leadership could restore stability without disrupting the squad. If Rohit is willing to take charge and Hardik is comfortable playing without the captaincy, the arrangement could allow Mumbai to retain experience while easing pressure on a key all-rounder. If either side is unhappy, a separation may become more likely.

As the IPL 2027 planning period approaches, Ashwin’s prediction offers a practical middle ground: keep Hardik if possible, but consider returning Rohit to the captaincy if it helps the team and the player. Whether Mumbai adopts that approach will depend on private discussions as much as on cricketing calculations.

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