Before IPL Auctions, Mumbai Indians Ready For 2026

While Other teams are going through their process to prepare themselves for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, the Mumbai Indians (MI) find themselves in a situation where they have almost no role to play in the auction for the 2026 season.

In this article, we assess the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) preparedness for the 2026 season and offer a realistic perspective on their upcoming IPL auction targets.

The Mini Auction is a stage for all franchises to let go of a few players from their squad, trade some players during the open window season, and then have enough money in the purse to purchase key players in the auction, making a winning squad for the 2026 season.

Mumbai Indians (MI), one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, find themselves in a rather unfamiliar turf months before an IPL auction.

They have put faith in their core by retaining most of their 2025 squad. While they have added a few players like Shardul Thakur and Mayank Markande from the exchange window, their team composition is more or less similar to their squad from the 2025 season. In the bargain, one of the richest franchises in IPL history is left with a tiny purse of only Rs 2.75 crores for the upcoming auction.

Mumbai Indians (MI), due to their auction strategy, have left them with very few options in the auction, but on the brighter side, they have only a handful of slots to fill.

How they work around the auction will likely define their journey in the 2026 season, as the other franchises will be going all gun blazing on players to fill key slots in the squad.

Mumbai Indians Budget availability

The biggest challenge the Mumbai Indians (MI) will face in the upcoming IPL auction for the 2026 season will be the remaining tiny purse of Rs 2.75 crore.

Out of all the 10 franchises, the Mumbai Indians (MI) will go into the auction with the lowest budget.

Mumbai Indians (MI) owners will miss the thrill of the high table in the auction, a place they have always dominated with some big star power purchases. Mumbai Indians (MI) will count themselves lucky if they manage to buy a big player in the auction this time around.

Mumbai Indians ’s Retained Core

Mumbai Indians (MI) played the safe bet by not shaking up their team too much. They spend big in the mega auction few years back, with their cash buy for Hardik Pandya and their retentions.

While they have released or traded some unused/ underperforming players like Arjun Tendulkar, Reece Topley, Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, KL Shrijith, Vignesh Puthur, these releases have hardly made a difference in the overall purse balance.

A Look at the current retained players

Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Naman Dhir, Ashwani Kumar, Raghu Sharma, Allah Ghazanfar.

Only five squad slots are left for Mumbai Indians (MI) to fill.

Challenges facing the Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians (MI) are known for their scouts unearthing gems like Jasprit Bumrah Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Verma. Many franchisees with a larger purse will keep a close eye on whom MI targets and then may outbid the Mumbai Indians (MI). Mumbai Indians (MI) will find it difficult to buy marquee players and may have to stick to value purchases or look for players who go unsold in the auction.

Overseas Slot dilemma

With one slot available for overseas Mumbai Indians (MI) may look to spend their entire purse on one player if they are eyeing someone specific, but they may still not be able to purchase that player.

Who can Mumbai Indians (MI) target?

With Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar in the squad, Mumbai Indians (MI) will look to add an Indian spinner from the domestic circuit. They have roped in Mayank Markande, who was with the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise in the past. Nabi could be a good buy for them, who can contribute with both bat and ball. Liam Livingstone is another option.
Mumbai Indians (MI) will target a fast bowler who can bowl in the death to support Jasprit Bumrah. This is to derisk their over reliance on Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.