Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has claimed that Rohit Sharma might replace Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain midway through the ongoing IPL season.

Hardik completed a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans (GT) to MI ahead of the IPL auction last December. Soon after the trade, the all-rounder replaced five-time IPL winning skipper Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai captain.

While Pandya led GT to the IPL title in 2022 and finished as runners-up last year, he has failed to produce positive results for MI so far, losing first three games in the IPL 2024.

Amid the losses, Hardik Pandya is also facing the crowd backlash at different venues, including loud boos and ‘Rohit, Rohit’ chants.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Tiwary said MI’s captaincy could be handed back to Rohit following a poor start of the season.

Tiwary’s comment came after Mumbai succumbed to a crushing six-wicket defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (April 1).

“Mumbai's captaincy could be handed back to Rohit Sharma. What I understand is that the owners of Mumbai Indians don't hesitate in making decisions. They made the call of taking the captaincy from Rohit and giving it to Hardik Pandya despite Rohit winning five IPL titles for them,” Tiwary stated.

“Changing the captain is a very big call. They have not picked up a single point this season. And the captaincy is also all over the place, it's not just bad luck and the captaincy has been very good, that's not the case. The captaincy has not been great,” he added.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians suffered defeats against the Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the five-time champions lost to GT by 6 runs in their campaign opener, they endured a 31-run thrashing at the hands of SRH in their second fixture.

Mumbai Indians will next face Delhi Capitals after an extended gap at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (April 7).