Hardik Pandya captained MI for three seasons from IPL 2024 with poor outcomes.
However, in the three seasons under Hardik Pandya, MI made it into the playoffs only once in 2025, finishing 10th in 2024 and 9th in 2026. Hence, reports have stated that Hardik Pandya and MI have parted ways, and the franchise is looking to trade the all-rounder before the mini-auction.
With reports of a possible trade involving Hardik emerging, Rayudu weighed in on the situation and Mumbai's plans ahead of the upcoming season.
"In Mumbai, I just thought that Hardik felt as if he was cornered. And once you feel you're cornered, you're always looking over your shoulder. Once that happens in a dressing room, you tend to come out in ways that you wouldn't want to. A lot of things didn't go well for Hardik. It might be Hardik's fault as well as something else,” Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.
Rayudu feels that the switch in leadership and the scrutiny directed at Hardik could have influenced his standing within the franchise. Ahead of IPL 2024, the all-rounder took over the Mumbai Indians captaincy from Rohit, a move that prompted divided responses among a portion of the supporters.
"From now on, if he wants to stay at MI, I don't think he should be the captain. He should just play his game, enjoy his time, and be a match-winner for MI. But if he goes out, definitely not a captain again, at least for one season," he added.
Ahead of the IPL 2027 auction, Hardik's future has emerged as a hot topic, with reports indicating that Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings are in talks over a potential player trade that would involve Hardik and Arshdeep Singh.
Recent reports indicate that Punjab are keen to bring in Hardik, whereas Mumbai are looking at ways to bolster their bowling attack.
"I think either Punjab or CSK, because these are the two teams he could go to, but he shouldn't be captain. He'll find a very good space there in terms of his cricket. But with KKR, there's so much on the plate that he needs to assess and take things forward because they need a captain. It's not an easy team to captain right now," Rayudu said.
The deadline to announce player retentions for all ten franchises is November 17, while the IPL 2027 auction is slated for December 16 in Goa.