The Mumbai Indians retention list 2026 is starting to take shape ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
After a season that ended with defeat in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, Mumbai will once again trust a strong core while tweaking a few spots around it. On this page, we break down the MI retained players 2026, the likely MI released players 2026, and how the MI team 2026 players list could look by the time the auction starts.
As we gear up for the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), teams are expected to make a few changes to their squads. As we cruise through the pre-auction window for the next edition, the Mumbai Indians retained players 2026 list will be crucial in deciding how they restructure, replenish, and build their squad again.
The five-time IPL champions haven’t lifted the trophy for the last five years. The baton of captaincy has passed to Hardik Pandya, new combinations have been tried at the top, and yet the trophy has eluded Mumbai Indians (MI) for a while. With the MI retention list 2026 so important to their next cycle, the men in blue will be desperate to fix gaps before the next season.
The franchise will eye to add some balance and strength to the squad in the upcoming IPL auctions. Here’s a look at the likely MI retentions, possible releases, and how the sea of blue might fare at the Wankhede.
Mumbai Indians do not believe in the ‘chopping & changing’ theory when it comes to team building. For the last few years, they have played with almost the same core. It is no surprise that the Mumbai Indians retained players 2026 list is again built around proven performers, with only a few changes expected at the fringes. Here are some of the potential names that the franchise will look to retain ahead of the next season:
Hardik Pandya – Premier all-rounder in the country and the captain of the team.
Rohit Sharma – Veteran India player and despite his IPL returns, remains a key figure in the franchise.
Suryakumar Yadav – Best MI batter and one of the best in the world.
Jasprit Bumrah – Best bowler in the world.
Tilak Varma – Young Indian middle order batter with proven record and high upside.
Naman Dhir – Re-acquired via RTM, Dhir lived up to the expectations with sensational death overs hitting.
Here is the full likely MI players retained and released list 2026 on the retention side, featuring the core that Mumbai Indians are expected to back before the IPL 2026 auction:
Mumbai Indians will look to offload some of their players in order to free up the budget and refresh their squad. The MI released players 2026 group is likely to include names who either struggled with form or fitness, or don’t quite fit into the team’s plans for the next cycle.
Mumbai Indians spent INR 9.25 crore in IPL 2025 to acquire Deepak Chahar. However, the right-arm seamer could not deliver what was expected of him. Chahar took 11 wickets in 14 innings at a high economy of 9.17. Expect MI to release him to free up the budget.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was brought in as a replacement after AM Ghazanfar was ruled out of the IPL 2025. He played only one game and conceded 28 off two overs. MI will retain the young spin sensation Ghazanfar, whom they had bought for INR 4.80 crore.
Reece Topley did not get a game in the previous season. Given his form and injury troubles, they are likely to release him and look for better alternatives.
Here is the full likely Mumbai Indians release list 2026, subject to final confirmation before the IPL 2026 retention deadline:
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Here’s how the MI squad after retention 2026 might look once all the retentions and releases are completed.
Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Trent Boult, Mitch Santner, Bevon Jacobs, Corbin Bosch, Vignesh Puthur, Karn Sharma, KL Srijith, Raj Bawa, Arjun Tendulkar, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar.
Deepak Chahar, Reece Topley, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lizaad Williams, Satyanarayana Raju, Robin Minz.
Hardik Pandya is likely to continue leading the team, and will remain the focal point of the MI retained players 2026 core.
While the Mumbai Indians 2026 squad already has a strong spine, there are some obvious gaps. MI still need an Indian seamer, an overseas pacer, and another lower middle-order hitter. Considering these aspects, here are the potential targets for MI in the IPL 2026 auction:
The Kiwi is in incredible form across formats, and likely to be a sought after name in the auction. MI’s home venue Wankhede Stadium would suit him perfectly.
Kartik Tyagi has immense promise. He has pace and has the ability to swing the ball as well as bowl yorkers. He would be a good fit at MI with Bumrah to groom him.
Mumbai needs another lower middle order along with Hardik and Naman to give more flexibility. If Sunrisers Hyderabad release him, Abhinav Manohar could be a good option.
The Mumbai Indians retention list 2026 is expected to feature core stars like Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma, along with promising names such as Naman Dhir and AM Ghazanfar. The final list will be confirmed closer to the IPL 2026 retention deadline.
Likely retentions include Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma, and Naman Dhir, who are expected to headline the MI retained players 2026 list.
Possible releases include Deepak Chahar, Reece Topley, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lizaad Williams, Satyanarayana Raju, and Robin Minz, who are the frontrunners to feature in the MI released players 2026 category.
Mumbai Indians need an Indian seamer, an overseas pacer, and another lower middle-order hitter. Their strategy ahead of the IPL 2026 auction will revolve around retaining a strong core and using the remaining purse to plug these gaps in the MI team 2026 players list.
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