Mumbai Indians (MI) head into IPL 2026 with their eyes firmly set on reclaiming the title after a few years of rebuilding. With the MI IPL 2026 squad revealed, the team looks stronger than ever, having focused on retaining their core players, strengthening weak spots, and filling critical gaps.
After a challenging but promising 2025 season, MI’s management has worked hard to make smart decisions during the retention phase while preparing for a dynamic approach at the upcoming auction.
MI IPL 2026 – Retained Players List
The MI IPL 2026 – Retained Players List features a solid core of established match winners. Rohit Sharma continues as the captain, leading the batting lineup alongside Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav.
| Player Name | Role |
| AM Ghazanfar | Bowler |
| Ashwani Kumar | Bowler |
| Corbin Bosch | All-rounder |
| Deepak Chahar | Bowler |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
| Mitchell Santner | All-rounder |
| Naman Dhir | All-rounder |
| Raghu Sharma | Bowler |
| Raj Angad Bawa | All-rounder |
| Robin Minz | WK-Batter |
| Rohit Sharma | Batter |
| Ryan Rickelton | WK-Batter |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Batter |
| Tilak Varma | Batter |
| Trent Boult | Bowler |
| Will Jacks | All-rounder |
MI IPL 2026 – Released Players Ahead of Auction
The MI IPL 2026 – Released Players Ahead of Auction list includes several players who have been let go to make room for new additions. These releases allow MI to restructure and strengthen their squad ahead of IPL 2026.
| Player Name | Reason for Release |
| Bevon Jacobs | Role overlap, high cost |
| Karn Sharma | Underperformance |
| KL Shrijith | Age and limited opportunities |
| Lizaad Williams | Frequent injuries |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Limited bowling impact |
| PSN Raju | Role overlap |
| Reece Topley | Inconsistent performance |
| Vignesh Puthur | Not fitting in playing XI |
| Jayant Yadav | Spin department surplus |
MI Probable Squad for IPL 2026
The MI probable squad for IPL 2026 includes a blend of experience and youth. Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, with Suryakumar Yadav anchoring the middle order.
| Role | Players |
| Top Order | Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma |
| Middle Order | Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks |
| All-Rounders | Krunal Pandya, Riley Meredith |
| Pacers | Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Jofra Archer |
| Spinners | Naman Dhir |
| Bench Options | Anmolpreet Singh + domestic picks |
MI IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List – Core First, Improvements Next
Mumbai Indians (MI) enter the IPL 2026 season with a strong, established core, a team built for consistency, and a clear focus on securing specialist players to fill specific gaps in their squad. After the 2025 season, MI has retained its match-winning core, strengthened its death bowling, and continued to prioritize balance across departments.
Key Strategic Priorities:
- Strengthen Death Bowling with Specialist Pacers
- Add a Backup Wrist-Spinner for Rotation
- Secure an Overseas Finisher as Injury Backup
- Identify a Stable Indian Middle-Order Batter
Retention Strategy Highlights
- Leadership Continuity with Rohit Sharma
- Spin Dominance with Rahul Chahar & Murugan Ashwin
- Overseas Stability with Kieron Pollard, Mitchell Starc & Tim David
- Strong Domestic Core Featuring Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma & Arjun Tendulkar
Conclusion
With the MI IPL 2026 squad revealed, the Mumbai Indians are clearly focused on building around their core of experienced match-winners. The team’s strategy to retain key players, strengthen death bowling, and identify backups for finishing and middle-order stability could make them one of the strongest contenders in IPL 2026. With their proven track record and a squad built for all conditions, MI will be a team to watch.
