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IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians Squad IPL 2026 — Full Players List, Captain, Playing 11 & Retained Players

Rahul Sharma 29 March 2026 ~11 min read ~2,133 words
Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 Squad

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Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 — Complete Squad Overview

Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in IPL history with five championship titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020). Under the ownership of Reliance Industries and the Ambani family, MI have consistently built squads that combine experienced match-winners with emerging talent.

After a mixed 2025 campaign, the Mumbai Indians have restructured their roster heading into IPL 2026. The mega auction saw the franchise make strategic retentions and sharp acquisitions to build a squad capable of challenging for a record sixth title.

This guide covers the complete Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2026 — every player, their role, the predicted playing 11, retained stars, new auction buys, and a full tactical breakdown of MI's strengths and weaknesses.

MI Captain IPL 2026

Hardik Pandya leads Mumbai Indians as captain for IPL 2026. After taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2024, Pandya has established himself as MI's long-term leader.

Hardik brings an aggressive, fearless approach to captaincy. As one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket, he leads from the front — capable of delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball. His ability to bowl four overs of pace while batting in the middle order gives MI incredible squad flexibility.

Under Pandya's captaincy, MI typically adopt an attacking mindset — aggressive powerplay batting, proactive bowling changes, and a willingness to back players through lean patches. His close relationship with Jasprit Bumrah also ensures MI's bowling attack functions as a cohesive unit.

Full Mumbai Indians Players List IPL 2026

Here is the complete MI squad for IPL 2026 with roles, nationality, and acquisition status:

#PlayerRoleNationalityStatus
1Hardik Pandya (c)All-rounderIndianRetained (₹16.35 Cr)
2Rohit SharmaBatterIndianRetained (₹16 Cr)
3Jasprit BumrahFast BowlerIndianRetained (₹18 Cr)
4Suryakumar YadavBatterIndianRetained (₹14.75 Cr)
5Tilak VarmaBatterIndianRetained (₹8 Cr)
6Ishan KishanWK-BatterIndianBought (₹11.25 Cr)
7Tim DavidAll-rounderAustralianBought (₹6.50 Cr)
8Dewald BrevisAll-rounderSouth AfricanBought (₹5.25 Cr)
9Naman DhirBatterIndianBought (₹3.40 Cr)
10Arjun TendulkarAll-rounderIndianBought (₹0.30 Cr)
11Shams MulaniAll-rounderIndianBought (₹1.50 Cr)
12Deepak ChaharFast BowlerIndianBought (₹7.75 Cr)
13Akash MadhwalFast BowlerIndianBought (₹2.40 Cr)
14Kumar KartikeyaSpin BowlerIndianBought (₹1.80 Cr)
15Piyush ChawlaSpin BowlerIndianBought (₹0.50 Cr)
16Trent BoultFast BowlerNew ZealandBought (₹8.50 Cr)
17Romario ShepherdAll-rounderWest IndianBought (₹3.00 Cr)
18Will JacksAll-rounderEnglishBought (₹5.00 Cr)
19Luke WoodFast BowlerEnglishBought (₹2.00 Cr)
20Nuwan ThusharaFast BowlerSri LankanBought (₹1.20 Cr)
21Vishnu VinodWK-BatterIndianBought (₹0.30 Cr)
22Harvik DesaiWK-BatterIndianBought (₹0.20 Cr)

Total squad size: 22 players | Overseas players: 6 | Purse spent: ~₹120 Cr

Predicted MI Playing 11 for IPL 2026

Based on squad composition and balance, here is the most likely MI playing 11 for IPL 2026:

OrderPlayerRole
1Rohit SharmaOpener — Explosive powerplay batter, sets the tempo
2Ishan Kishan (wk)Opener — Left-handed aggression, wicketkeeper
3Suryakumar YadavNo. 3 — 360-degree batter, anchors the middle overs
4Tilak VarmaNo. 4 — Young left-hander, rotates strike and finishes
5Hardik Pandya (c)No. 5 — Finisher and fifth bowler
6Tim DavidNo. 6 — Power-hitting finisher for the death overs
7Will JacksNo. 7 — All-rounder, off-spin and explosive batting
8Shams MulaniNo. 8 — Left-arm spin all-rounder
9Deepak ChaharNo. 9 — Swing bowler, powerplay specialist
10Trent BoultNo. 10 — Left-arm pace, new-ball and death overs
11Jasprit BumrahNo. 11 — Lead strike bowler, best death bowler in IPL

This XI gives MI six bowling options (Bumrah, Boult, Chahar, Pandya, Jacks, Mulani), deep batting until No. 8, and four overseas players (Tim David, Will Jacks, Trent Boult, and one rotation slot). The lineup balances left-right combinations nicely across the order.

Retained Players

Mumbai Indians used their retention slots strategically ahead of the mega auction. Here are the five retained players and why MI held onto them:

Jasprit Bumrah (₹18 Cr) — The highest-paid retention in MI history, and worth every rupee. Bumrah is the best T20 fast bowler on the planet. His death bowling record is unmatched, and he provides the kind of wicket-taking ability that wins knockout games. Non-negotiable retention.

Hardik Pandya (₹16.35 Cr) — Captain and primary all-rounder. Pandya's dual value as a middle-order finisher and pace bowling option makes him irreplaceable. MI's entire team structure revolves around his all-round contribution.

Rohit Sharma (₹16 Cr) — The franchise icon. Rohit has been synonymous with MI since 2011 and has captained them to five titles. Even in a non-captaincy role, his experience, big-match temperament, and explosive batting at the top make him essential.

Suryakumar Yadav (₹14.75 Cr) — The world's No. 1 T20I batter for a reason. SKY's 360-degree stroke play and ability to score at pace without taking risks makes him MI's most dependable middle-order anchor.

Tilak Varma (₹8 Cr) — At just 23, Tilak represents MI's future. His composure under pressure, ability to bat across positions, and steady improvement each season made him a smart retention at a relatively modest price.

Key Auction Buys

MI's auction strategy focused on filling specific gaps — a second overseas pacer, a backup wicketkeeper-opener, and affordable Indian all-rounders.

Ishan Kishan (₹11.25 Cr) — The marquee buy. Kishan returns to MI after a brief stint away, reuniting with the franchise where he made his name. His left-handed batting at the top provides the ideal complement to Rohit, and his wicketkeeping allows MI to play an extra batter or bowler.

Trent Boult (₹8.50 Cr) — Another MI reunion. Boult's left-arm swing with the new ball is devastating in Indian conditions, and he forms a lethal new-ball pairing with Bumrah. His experience in high-pressure IPL matches is invaluable.

Deepak Chahar (₹7.75 Cr) — Chahar's ability to swing the ball in the powerplay adds a third dimension to MI's pace attack. When fit, he is one of the best powerplay bowlers in the IPL and provides useful lower-order runs.

Will Jacks (₹5.00 Cr) — The English all-rounder offers explosive batting and handy off-spin. Jacks gives MI a genuine sixth bowling option while adding firepower to the middle and lower order.

Dewald Brevis (₹5.25 Cr) — "Baby AB" earned his reputation with fearless strokeplay. While he may not start every game, Brevis provides an overseas batting option and can bowl occasional leg-spin.

Who is Arjun Tendulkar in MI?

Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, is a left-arm fast bowling all-rounder in the Mumbai Indians squad. Bought at his base price of ₹0.30 Cr, Arjun is primarily a development player who bowls left-arm pace at around 130-135 km/h and bats left-handed in the lower order.

While Arjun has not been a regular in MI's playing 11, he has shown improvement in domestic cricket and provides a net bowling option. His left-arm angle offers variety in MI's predominantly right-arm pace attack. The franchise sees him as a long-term project who could develop into a useful squad player in coming seasons.

MI's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

  • World-class pace attack — Bumrah, Boult, and Chahar form arguably the best three-pacer combination in IPL 2026. Bumrah alone can win matches in the death overs.
  • Explosive top order — Rohit, Ishan, and SKY can demolish any attack in the powerplay and middle overs. On their day, MI can post 200+ without breaking a sweat.
  • All-round depth — Hardik, Will Jacks, and Shams Mulani give MI multiple all-round options, ensuring the batting goes deep and the captain always has bowling choices.
  • Experience in big moments — With Rohit, Bumrah, Pandya, and Boult all having won IPL titles, MI have a core that thrives under pressure.

Weaknesses:

  • Spin bowling depth — MI have historically relied on pace, and their spin options (Mulani, Jacks, Kumar Kartikeya) are not as proven as rivals' spinners. On turning tracks, this could be a vulnerability.
  • Middle-order dependency on SKY — If Suryakumar Yadav has an off-day, the middle order can look thin between No. 3 and No. 5. Tilak Varma needs a consistent season to ease this concern.
  • Hardik's bowling fitness — MI's balance depends heavily on Pandya bowling his full quota. If his body breaks down mid-season, the team loses its fifth bowler and the playing 11 needs restructuring.
  • Slow starts — MI have a history of losing early-season matches before clicking into gear in the second half. In a tightly contested IPL 2026, early losses could prove costly.

How Many IPL Titles Has MI Won?

Mumbai Indians have won the IPL five times — more than any other franchise:

  1. IPL 2013 — Beat Chennai Super Kings in the final
  2. IPL 2015 — Beat Chennai Super Kings in the final
  3. IPL 2017 — Beat Rising Pune Supergiant in the final
  4. IPL 2019 — Beat Chennai Super Kings in the final
  5. IPL 2020 — Beat Delhi Capitals in the final (held in UAE)

MI's five titles came under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, making him the most successful captain in IPL history. The franchise now aims to add a sixth title under Hardik Pandya's leadership in IPL 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the 11 players in Mumbai Indians?

The predicted MI playing 11 for IPL 2026 is: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Will Jacks, Shams Mulani, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and Jasprit Bumrah. The actual XI may vary depending on the pitch and opposition. Check our MI team page for the latest updates.

Who is the captain of MI IPL 2026?

Hardik Pandya is the captain of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2026. He took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma before IPL 2024 and continues to lead the franchise. Read more about Hardik Pandya's career and captaincy.

Is Rohit Sharma playing IPL 2026?

Yes, Rohit Sharma is playing IPL 2026 for Mumbai Indians. He was retained by the franchise for ₹16 Cr and will bat as an opener. While he is no longer captain, Rohit remains a key player and the emotional heart of the MI squad.

Which team is Arjun Tendulkar in IPL 2026?

Arjun Tendulkar is part of the Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2026. He was bought at his base price of ₹0.30 Cr. Arjun is a left-arm fast bowling all-rounder and is primarily a squad player who provides depth.

Who is the best player in MI?

Jasprit Bumrah is widely considered the best and most valuable player in the Mumbai Indians squad. His death bowling is unmatched in IPL history, and he consistently delivers match-winning performances. Among batters, Suryakumar Yadav is MI's most impactful run-scorer.

Who is the best bowler in IPL MI?

Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler in MI history and arguably the best fast bowler in IPL history overall. With a career economy rate under 7.5 in T20s, an unplayable yorker, and the ability to bowl at any phase of the innings, Bumrah is MI's most prized asset. Among current squad members, Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar are the next best bowling options.

How many IPL MI won?

Mumbai Indians have won 5 IPL titles — in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. They are the most successful franchise in IPL history. All five titles were won under Rohit Sharma's captaincy.

Who are the players released in Mumbai Indians 2026?

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction, MI released several players from their previous squad to create room within the salary cap. Only five players were retained (Bumrah, Pandya, Rohit, SKY, Tilak Varma), meaning all other players from the 2025 squad were released and entered the auction pool. Notable releases included several overseas players and Indian squad members who did not fit MI's long-term plans.


Looking for MI match fixtures? Check the full IPL 2026 schedule for all Mumbai Indians matches. Building your fantasy team around MI players? Visit our Dream11 tips and predictions for expert guidance.

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Rahul Sharma

Expert in: Ipl 2026

Rahul Sharma has played district-level cricket in Mumbai for 8 years and has personally tested more than 50 bats, pads, gloves, and helmets across different price ranges. He joined CricJosh to help Indian club cricketers make smarter equipment choices without overpaying. His reviews are based on real match and net session use, not sponsored samples.

Why trust this review: Rahul has used every product in this review across multiple match and net sessions before writing a word. He buys equipment at retail price and accepts no free samples.