IPL 2026 mini auction: How MI must rebuild to end their 6-year trophy drought

Anurag Dasgupta

Flaws MI need to address to win IPL [Source: @iplt20.com] Flaws MI need to address to win IPL [Source: @iplt20.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is just around the corner as all ten franchises will aim to bolster their squad ahead of next season. One team that desperately needs the auction to come quickly is the Mumbai Indians. The side had a decent IPL 2025 season as they reached Qualifier 2, but lost against the Punjab Kings.

The side had a couple of flaws, and the upcoming auction provides them with a great chance to rectify them. Here is what the Mumbai Indians needs to do to win the IPL title for the sixth time.

Does the team need another opener?

The opening combination is currently settled with Rohit Sharma, and Ryan Rickelton is set to open once again. However, as seen last season, Rickelton missed the Qualifier 2 match and the opening combination was disrupted and MI lost the match.

In previous seasons, MI had an all-Indian opening pair with Rohit opening alongside Ishan Kishan, and a reunion shouldn’t be a difficult task for the franchise. Ishan Kishan knows the MI setup inside-out, and the team could play a punt by buying him and bringing in a third opener to support Rohit and Rickelton.

A finisher required as well

Hardik Pandya, during his first stint, was MI’s designated finisher. However, after his second homecoming, Hardik has switched his role from a finisher to more of a floater as he tends to bat at number 5.

Criterion
Data
Matches15
Runs224
Strike rate163.50

(Hardik stats in IPL 2025)

  • Hardik had a strike rate of 163 in the IPL 2025 season, but most of the runs came in at number 5 as the team lacked a clear-cut finisher. They tried Naman Dhir and Will Jacks for a few matches, but that move didn’t work.
  • Hence, the team could play Hardik at 5, and might go after an ultra-aggressive finisher at number 6 to see off the games in IPL 2026.

A pacer to support Bumrah-Boult

While MI have Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult as two of the best in the business, they lack a third wheel and that needs to be filled in the upcoming mini auction. The team has Deepak Chahar in the squad, but he failed to deliver the goods with the new ball.

Criterion
Data
Matches14
Dismissals11
Economy9.17

(Deepak Chahar in IPL 2025)

  • Chahar is predominantly a new-ball bowler, but he lacked the cutting-edge to take wickets inside the powerplay, and that put the pressure on Boult and Bumrah.
  • Hence, the side certainly needs a solid third pacer who could come in as a support system for the two ‘B’s of the Mumbai Indians.

MI's gameplay in mini auction

  • The team needs three major changes in the squad. They need to keep Rickelton, but also have to bring in an extra opening batter, in case the South African leaves the IPL due to international commitments.
  • Also, MI lacks a solid finisher to win matches, and with Hardik at number 5, they need an explosive player who can take the responsibility to finish matches with a flurry. Last, but not the least, MI also need a third pacer, who can be a wicket-taker in the powerplay and can reduce the burden on Bumrah, Boult.