Mumbai Indians under Hardik Pandya made solid progress in IPL 2025, returning to the playoffs after a difficult 2024. With the IPL 2026 retentions now officially announced, MI have confirmed a strong 20-player squad featuring Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and several rising stars.
The franchise has backed its trusted Indian core while retaining key overseas names such as Trent Boult, Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Sherfane Rutherford and Mitchell Santner. With only ₹2.75 crore left in their purse and one overseas slot remaining, MI’s auction strategy this year will be more focused on budget value and bench depth rather than major signings.
IPL 2026 Retention Summary
- Total Players Retained: 20
- Overseas Players Retained: 7
- Total Money Spent: ₹122.25 crore
- Salary Cap Available: ₹2.75 crore
- Total Slots Left: 5
- Overseas Slots Left: 1
- MI retains one of the biggest cores among all teams for IPL 2026.
SRH Retained Players for IPL 2026
Here is the list of retained players of the MI franchise for IPL 2026.
| Player Name | Role | IPL Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Batter | Most successful IPL captain; 2nd most runs (7046) in IPL history; playing for MI since 2011 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Batter | 717 runs and Player of the Tournament in IPL 2025; backbone of the MI batting lineup |
| Tilak Verma | Batter | Young promising talent; 343 runs in IPL 2025 across 13 innings |
| Will Jacks | All-rounder | 233 runs and six wickets in 13 matches in IPL 2025 |
| Robin Minz | WK-Batter | Reliable domestic wicketkeeper-batter adding middle-order stability |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder | Captain and senior all-rounder; 14 wickets and 224 runs in IPL 2025 |
| Naman Dhir | Batter | Emerging batter; 252 runs for MI with a strike rate of 182.60 in 2025 |
| Raj Angad Bawa | All-rounder | Talented young all-rounder developing in both batting and bowling |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler | Premier fast bowler; 183 wickets for MI since 2013 |
| Trent Boult | Bowler | Experienced left-arm pacer; 22 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2025 |
| Ashwani Kumar | Bowler | 11 wickets in 7 matches in his debut season |
| Corbin Bosch | All-rounder | Overseas all-rounder providing backup with bat and ball |
| Deepak Chahar | Bowler | Experienced Indian pacer strengthening MI’s new-ball attack |
| Mayank Markande | Bowler | Leg-spinner adding variety to MI’s spin department |
| Mitchell Santner | All-rounder | Dependable overseas spin-bowling all-rounder |
| Raghu Sharma | Bowler | Developing spinner contributing depth to MI’s bowling unit |
| Ryan Rickelton | WK-Batter | Overseas wicketkeeper-batter offering top-order flexibility |
| Shardul Thakur | All-rounder | Utility all-rounder with valuable experience in IPL pressure games |
| Sherfane Rutherford | All-rounder | Powerful middle-order overseas hitter and handy medium-pacer |
| Allah Ghazanfar | Bowler | Young overseas spinner with potential and long-term upside |
MI Released Players List
- Arjun Tendulkar – traded to LSG
- Satyanarayana Raju
- Reece Topley (ENG)
- KL Shrijith
- Karn Sharma
- Bevon Jacobs (SA)
- Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (AFG)
- Lizaad Williams (SA)
- Vignesh Puthur
Below is a quick breakdown of what each retained player brings to the table.
Rohit Sharma (Batter)
Rohit Sharma will remain an integral part of MI, having been the most successful IPL captain and a key player for this team since 2011. With the second-most runs in IPL history, MI has seen its best cricketing years under its captain’s leadership.
Although in the later stages of his career, Rohit provides mentorship to younger players and plays an anchor role at the top of the order. MI retains him for his legacy, leadership skills, and ability to perform in pressure matches.
Suryakumar Yadav (Batter)
Suryakumar Yadav had an outstanding IPL 2025, scoring 717 runs and winning the Player of the Series award. As the backbone of MI’s batting lineup, he has been consistently scoring runs for MI since 2018.
SKY’s ability to hit big boundaries in the middle overs gives him a key retention. MI relies on its consistent run accumulation and match-winning potential.
Tilak Varma (Batter)
Tilak Varma is one of MI’s brightest young talents, having scored 343 runs in 13 innings. Not in IPL, he also performed consistently in T20I in 2025.
Tilas was the man of the match in the final of the Asia Cup 2025, proving he can play exceptionally well in pressure situations.
Will Jacks (Batting All-rounder)
Will Jacks is another all-rounder in the team, contributing with 233 runs and picking up six wickets in 13 matches.
His all-round abilities add depth and flexibility to MI’s playing XI. His ability to hit big in the middle or lower order and chip in with crucial overs provides tactical advantage. MI likely retains him to maintain experience in overseas all-rounders.
Hardik Pandya (Captain, All-rounder)
Hardik Pandya’s first IPL season as MI captain was a nightmare, as the team finished at 10th position for the 1st time in IPL history.
In the 2nd season, he led MI to Qualifier 2, where Shreyas Iyer single-handedly eliminated them. After a poor 2024 season, he played very well in 2025, scoring 224 runs and taking 14 wickets.
Naman Dhir (All-rounder)
Naman Dhir emerged as an explosive all-round talent, scoring 252 runs at a strike rate of 182.60.
His handy bowling also adds a flexible option in MI bowling departments. MI will retain him for his potential to finish matches with his raw power under pressure.
Raj Angad Bawa (All-rounder)
Raj Angad Bawa is a young multi-dimensional player progressing well in both bowling and batting roles.
MI sees him as a developmental prospect with all-rounder skills that can be polished over time. His retention indicates MI’s focus on cultivating young talent who can evolve into key match-winners in future seasons.
Jasprit Bumrah (Bowler)
No doubt, every team wants to include him in their squad. Jasprit Bumrah remains MI’s premier fast bowler, with a rich IPL history of 183 wickets.
His unique bowling skill set and death-over expertise make him a modern-day great bowler. Despite fitness concerns in recent seasons, he is central to MI’s bowling plans, and his retention will make MI a strong team.
Trent Boult (Bowler)
Trent Boult provides experience and lethal left-arm pace, taking 22 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2025.
His ability to swing the ball and pick wickets in the powerplays is unmatched by other bowlers. MI retains him for his consistency, variety, and ability to lead the pace attack alongside Bumrah.
Ashwani Kumar (Bowler)
Ashwani Kumar impressed with 11 wickets in 7 matches in his debut season as a wicket-taking pacer.
MI will retain him to maintain depth in pace bowling options and continue his growth as an impactful bowler. His budget-friendly profile also suits MI’s squad balance strategies.
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Conclusion: MI Enters IPL 2026 With a Settled Core and Limited Auction Purse
With their 20-man retention list confirmed, the Mumbai Indians head into the IPL 2026 auction with a largely settled squad. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma continue to form the backbone of the team, while Hardik Pandya leads a deep group of all-rounders that includes Shardul Thakur, Will Jacks, Raj Angad Bawa and Sherfane Rutherford.
Young talents like Naman Dhir, Robin Minz and Ashwani Kumar have also been retained, showing MI’s commitment to long-term squad depth. Overseas experience in the form of Trent Boult, Ryan Rickelton and Mitchell Santner adds balance to the side.
With just ₹2.75 crore remaining in the salary cap and five slots (one overseas) to fill, MI are expected to make selective, value-based additions at the auction. Their core remains strong and stable, giving the franchise a clear structure as they chase their sixth IPL title in 2026.
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