IPL 2026 Auction: The Mumbai Indians (MI), one of the most decorated and dominant franchises in IPL history, are again at a crossroads.
Despite a strong squad and flashes of brilliance in the IPL 2025 season, the five-time champions fell short of expectations — crashing out in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans (GT).
While MI’s blend of youth and experience showed glimpses of promise, the overall campaign was inconsistent.
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, the franchise is likely to re-evaluate its team balance and offload a few underperforming or surplus players.
Here’s a look at five players the Mumbai Indians might release ahead of the IPL 2026 auction as they look to rebuild for the next season.
Reece Topley
England’s tall left-arm pacer Reece Topley could also find himself released before IPL 2026. He played just one game during the 2025 season and failed to make any notable impact.
Given MI’s strong pace resources — including Boult, Bumrah, and Madhwal — Topley’s inclusion looks unnecessary. His history of injuries and lack of match time further reduce his retention chances.
Mumbai may instead look toward a young, fit overseas pacer who can bowl with pace and aggression across all phases — someone who can serve as a long-term investment rather than a backup.
Deepak Chahar
After years of success with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), right-arm swing bowler Deepak Chahar was picked by Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2025 season amid high expectations. However, his performance did not match his price tag.
Chahar managed just 11 wickets in 14 matches, struggling with both economy and consistency, especially during the powerplay overs. His inability to maintain pressure or take early wickets hurt MI in key games.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult already leading the attack, MI may decide to move on from Chahar and look for a more economical and aggressive powerplay bowler. Releasing him would also help free up valuable purse money for the upcoming auction.
AM Ghazanfar
Afghanistan’s young leg-spinner AM Ghazanfar could be another casualty of Mumbai’s squad reshuffle. Despite being bought for a decent price, Ghazanfar did not play a single match in IPL 2025.
With Mitchell Santner and other Indian spin options like Kumar Kartikeya and Shams Mulani available, Ghazanfar’s role became irrelevant in the XI. His recent performances in domestic leagues have also been below expectations, which further weakens his case for retention.
MI might prefer to invest in an experienced spinner or an all-rounder who can bat lower down the order, providing flexibility in team combinations.
Karn Sharma
Veteran leg-spinner Karn Sharma could also be among those released before IPL 2026. Though he played six matches in IPL 2025 and took seven wickets, his bowling lacked bite and predictability became an issue.
Batters often attacked him freely during the middle overs, and his variations failed to trouble the opposition. MI may choose to invest in a younger spinner with better control, such as Rahul Chahar or Mayank Markande, both of whom have IPL experience and greater long-term potential.
Lizaad Williams
South African fast bowler Lizaad Williams was part of MI’s bench strength throughout IPL 2025 but never made it to the playing XI. He remained more of a reserve option, used primarily in practice sessions.
With MI already having several domestic and overseas pacers ahead of him in the pecking order, Williams’ chances of featuring in future seasons look slim.
Releasing him would allow MI to explore emerging talents from India’s domestic circuit — potentially unearthing another gem like Akash Madhwal.
MI’s Likely Strategy for IPL 2026
The Mumbai Indians’ management has always been forward-looking, focusing on creating sustainable success rather than short-term fixes. Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, MI’s priorities are likely to include:
- Strengthening their spin department with aggressive and versatile bowlers.
- Backing young Indian fast bowlers who can complement Bumrah and Boult.
- Balancing experience and youth, ensuring bench depth in every department.
- Maintaining a flexible overseas core with multi-skilled players.
If MI can successfully address these areas, they could once again emerge as a powerhouse team in IPL Season 19.
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 auction will be crucial for Mumbai Indians as they look to rebuild and return to their championship-winning ways. Releasing a few underperforming players like Deepak Chahar, Reece Topley, AM Ghazanfar, Lizaad Williams, and Karn Sharma could give them the flexibility to target fresh faces who align better with the team’s future plans.
With the right mix of youth, experience, and strategic buys, the five-time champions will be eager to script another dominant chapter in their illustrious IPL journey.
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