IPL 2026 retention: List of players MI might retain for next season

List of players MI should retain [Source: @IPLT20.COM]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is still a couple of months away, but the buzz has already started as the tentative dates for the retention list are out. All ten franchises will have to submit their final retained players list by mid-November, and this allows the squads to release some of the unwanted players ahead of next season.

One of the teams that desperately needs an overhaul is the Mumbai Indians, who qualified for the playoffs, but the team had chinks in its armour. Ahead of the mini auction in December, we take a look at the list of players MI might retain to maintain the core of the side.

MI's probable retention list for IPL 2026

Opening combination set for next season

In Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, MI have a solid opening combination that did wonders in the last IPL season. Both batters scored runs at a quick pace and the left-right conbination complimented each other as the team reached Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025.

(Openers in IPL 2025)

• The R and R pair of Rohit and Rickelton were superb for Mumbai in IPL 2025 and the destructive duo is likely to continue in the next season as well. While Rohit Sharma accumulated 418 runs for MI, last season, Rickelton scored 388, but with a strike rate of 150.

Middle order looks stacked, finisher still needed

• In Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, and Hardik Pandya, the middle order looks stacked and is full of superstar players. Tilak is likely to bat at 3, with Will Jacks used as a floater. While Hardik still remains the team’s best hitter in terms of pure striking, as of late, his finishing abilities has come under scanner.
• Plus, while Naman Dhir is good, the team still need a solid finisher, especially in a crunch situation.

Spin bowling sorted with Mitch Santner

In Mitch Santner, MI has one of the shrewdest cricketing brains, and he was exceptional for them in IPL 2025 season. He plauyed the role of a lead spinner, and was often responsible for taking wickets and restreicting the run-flow.

(Santner in IPL 2025)

• He picked up 10 wickets for MI, but the most important thing was his economy rate, which was under 8. Santner played most of his match in Wankhede, a venue where batters enjoy hitting the bowlers, and yet he was instrumental on such pitches.

Bowling department needs repair

MI’s pace attack needs a revamp, as apart from Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, the team lacks a quality pace bowler. Bumrah is injury-prone and if he gets injured, the team doesn’t have a quality bowler who could support Boult.

(Chahar in IPL 2025)

• Chahar played 14 matches, but he lacked the cutting edge in his bowling attack. He conceded runs at over 9 runs per over, and the swing, for which he is known for diminished.
• With new ball, Chahar lacked the wicket-taking ability and hence, MI could do with a better pacer to support Bumrah and Boult.

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