Mumbai: Speculation over a possible rift between Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians intensified after unverified social media claims suggested the all-rounder had unfollowed the franchise’s official Instagram account. The rumours gained traction following Mumbai Indians’ early exit from the IPL 2026 playoffs, with some reports also alleging that Pandya had removed collaborative content from his profile amid discussions of a potential leadership change.
However, a digital verification conducted on May 11 has confirmed that these claims are unfounded. Pandya continues to follow the Mumbai Indians account, which remains among the 151 accounts he follows on the platform. All collaborative videos featuring the captain and the franchise are still available on his profile, with no evidence of content removal.
Pandya was ruled out of Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur due to a back spasm, having also missed the previous match. The team’s disappointing campaign, which included eight losses in 11 games, has triggered intense scrutiny of his captaincy. His absence has been felt both in leadership and on-field execution, while his personal form earlier in the season mirrored the side’s inconsistencies.
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Fans and critics have frequently compared Pandya’s tenure with the highly successful era under Rohit Sharma, who guided Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. With the team currently at the bottom of the points table, franchise management is under pressure to tackle the tactical and cultural challenges that have marked their 2026 season.
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Despite the swirling speculation and viral screenshots shared by netizens suggesting otherwise, there is no indication of a formal fallout between Pandya and the franchise. Reports indicate that Mumbai Indians management continues to back the all-rounder as captain through the difficult period.