IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Retained Players List Announced — Core Squad Stays Intact Ahead of Mini Auction

The Mumbai Indians (MI) have announced the list of retained players ahead of IPL 2026 to mark the beginning of a rebuild with the emphasis on their trusted core after the disappointing 2025 season. The five-time IPL champions, who missed out on a playoff berth last year, have laid in hesitation over the experienced stars coupled with promising youngsters while heading into the mini-auction for IPL 2026.

🏏 Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 Retained Players List

Despite a forgettable IPL 2025 campaign, MI has decided to back the same core that has delivered success in the past.

MI Retained Players for IPL 2026:

Hardik Pandya

Suryakumar Yadav

Rohit Sharma

Krishnan Shrijith

Naman Dhir

Ryan Rickelton

Bevon Jacobs

Tilak Varma

Will Jacks

Ashwani Kumar

Trent Boult

Jasprit Bumrah

Arjun Tendulkar

Mumbai have retained 15 players, leaving room for 6–11 new signings at the mini-auction. With a budget of ₹120 crore, MI is expected to target key reinforcements to fill critical gaps in their lineup.

⚠️ Why Mumbai Indians Struggled in IPL 2025

MI’s title drought has now stretched to five years. Despite flashes of brilliance, the franchise’s batting collapses and weak death bowling hurt them in pressure moments. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, no bowler consistently delivered in the final overs, while the middle order often faltered after early breakthroughs.

💡 Auction Strategy for IPL 2026

The Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 strategy revolves around:

Strengthening the middle order with a proven finisher.

Signing a specialist death bowler to assist Bumrah.

Retaining balance between youth and experience.

The retained core, including Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav, gives Mumbai Indians a strong base to rebuild upon. However, their chances of success in the IPL 2026 will largely depend on the players they pick up in the mini-auction.

🔍 Key Takeaway

A good profile of players retained by Mumbai Indians up to the year 2026 clearly speaks about long-term planning and stability for the team. In case Mumbai Indians prepared a perfect auction strategy, they'd want to get back in a position to contest for that much-coveted sixth IPL title.

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