Hardik Pandya 'Tired' and 'Mentally Stressed', won't play for Mumbai Indians next Season

Mumbai Indians' (MI) IPL 2026 campaign has been one of the most disappointing in the franchise's illustrious history, marked by poor performances, leadership scrutiny, and now reports of internal turmoil involving skipper Hardik Pandya.

The under-fire captain, "mentally stressed" and "completely exhausted" after a disastrous season, conveyed to the team management mid-season that he was "done with Mumbai Indians" and wanted to quit.

Pandya returned to MI in a high-profile trade ahead of the 2024 season, replacing Rohit Sharma as captain amid significant fan backlash. While the team showed some improvement by reaching the playoffs in 2025, the 2026 season unraveled quickly. MI struggled with inconsistent batting, sloppy fielding, and failure to build momentum, finishing near the bottom of the table with a win percentage that fell well short of expectations for a five-time champion side.

And as per the report from PTI, the Indian all-rounder is set to quit MI and won't be part of the team next season.

"Hardik was mentally stressed and completely exhausted. He had also sustained a back injury. In fact, once the play-off hopes were dashed, Hardik informed the decision-makers that he wouldn't be staying back," a source was quoted as saying.

"There is only so much that a young man can take. The last three years haven't been easy for him. The MI dressing room that he had left in 2021 wasn't the same when he returned in 2024. Not every senior player was on the same page," it added.

Injuries added to the pressure. Pandya missed several matches with back spasms, leading to Suryakumar Yadav and others stepping in as captain. His absence from team travel fueled speculation, with reports suggesting more than just physical issues. The cumulative stress, from fan criticism, dressing room dynamics, and on-field tactical questions - took a heavy toll.

Sources indicated Pandya was "mentally stressed and completely exhausted," and he had explicitly conveyed his desire to exit mid-season. This comes against the backdrop of MI's extended title drought and questions over leadership transition. Management has reportedly backed him publicly at times, but it seems all but end for Hardik at the Paltans.