IPL 2027: Rohit Sharma likely to lead Mumbai Indians again, Tilak Varma could be deputy

MUMBAI: Will Rohit Sharma return as Mumbai Indians captain with rising Indian T20 batting star Tilak Varma as his deputy in IPL 2027? TOI has learned that there is a strong possibility of the 39-year-old getting his last stint at the helm. Rohit has led MI to all five of their IPL titles – in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.A return to captaincy would mean that Rohit cannot feature as an Impact Player as he has in the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who replaced Rohit as captain in 2024, will be traded to another franchise.MI are in talks with three teams, with an official announcement expected soon, TOI has learnt.MI on Friday announced a major overhaul of their coaching staff under newly appointed head coach Kieron Pollard. Former India batsman Robin Uthappa has been appointed as the batting coach while former India fielding coach T Dilip will take charge of the batting department.Uthappa represented MI in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, while Dilip spent nearly five years with the Indian team and is believed to share a close relationship with Rohit.MI also brought back two former pacers – New Zealander Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach and Dhawala Kulkarni as development bowling coach. A former India and Mumbai team-mate of Rohit, Kulkarni will have a year-round role focused on player development and strengthening the franchise’s talent pool.The appointment, with several members of the new support staff having close ties to Rohit, further fueled speculation of his return as captain as MI look to end a six-year title drought. The franchise last won the IPL in 2020 and finished ninth in 2026. The immediate task of the new coaching group will be to finalize retention ahead of the mini-auction for IPL 2027, which is scheduled for December 16 in Goa. Pollard and his team will also need to formulate their auction strategy as MI look to rebuild after a disappointing 2026 campaign.