Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 auction plans are already in motion, and the five-time champions are expected to make two major calls that could redefine their squad balance. These two high-value players might be the key to freeing up funds as MI look to retool their roster ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
When Mumbai Indians went all in on Deepak Chahar for ₹9.25 crore at the mega auction, they hoped to fix their new-ball issue and add a reliable Indian pacer to support Jasprit Bumrah. However, injuries and inconsistency meant Chahar didn’t quite deliver the impact MI paid for.
In IPL 2025, he took just 11 wickets in 14 games, leaking runs at over nine per over. His inability to bowl effectively in the death overs and frequent fitness issues have made the franchise rethink their investment. Given the limited supply of experienced Indian pacers in a mini auction, MI could still hesitate, but the financial logic is clear. Releasing Chahar would free up a large chunk of the purse for smarter buys.
Will Jacks, bought for ₹5.25 crore, is the other likely casualty in the MI released players list. While Jacks is a powerful hitter and handy off-spinner, his role never quite fit Mumbai’s already stacked top order featuring Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ryan Rickelton (and Jonny Bairstow) and Hardik Pandya.
Despite strong form in England’s domestic circuit — over 500 runs in the recent Vitality Blast and 275 in The Hundred at good strike rates — MI simply don’t have space for another top-order overseas batter. His release makes practical sense and allows Mumbai to use that slot for a bowler or a lower-order power-hitter.
While Mumbai Indians released players like Chahar and Jacks seem obvious choices on paper, it’s not a straightforward decision. Reliable Indian pacers are rare in the IPL 2026 auction, especially a mini one, and while Chahar hasn’t played a T20 since the IPL, he showed his fitness in the Ranji Trophy recently, even taking a four-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy — and this might tempt MI to give him another chance.
Similarly, Jacks’ all-round ability could still appeal especially since the big all-rounders like Cameron Green might be out of reach financially for MI. Jacks is a terrific part-time off-spinner and Mumbai don’t have any to fill this role. He is also capable of batting anywhere in the top , which is another tempting factor.
Heading into the Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 auction, freeing up roughly ₹15 crore from these two releases gives MI flexibility to strengthen weaker departments. Expect them to target bowlers like Mayank Yadav, Tushar Deshpande, or overseas options such as Spencer Johnson or Nandre Burger, if the above names are released by their respective teams.
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They could also be tempted by international bowlers like Jayden Seales and Jacob Duffy, who are primarily useful in longer formats, but could shine at the Wankhede, which is known for new ball help to seamers.
If MI indeed move on from Deepak Chahar and Will Jacks, it will be a bold but necessary step to open up their options ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
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