Mumbai Indians: 5 players MI can release ahead of IPL 2026 auction

The Mumbai Indians (MI) staged a strong comeback during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, moving up from their tenth-place finish in 2024 to secure fourth position and a playoff berth.

Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2025 campaign

This important performance, which saw them defeat the Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator before falling in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings, re-established the team’s foundational strength and demonstrated the core blueprint for future success: high-quality domestic talent, strategic depth, and timely execution in key moments.

This resurgence was driven by strong individual contributions. Suryakumar Yadav was a key contributor in the batting lineup, amassing over 650 runs and consistently providing stability and momentum in the middle overs, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. This firepower was well-supported by the team’s strong, aggressive opening combination which consistently set up competitive totals.

On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah was highly effective. He led the MI attack, taking 25 wickets with a very strong economy of 6.50, ensuring the team generally had control, especially during the crucial death overs. Furthermore, the mature performances of Tilak Varma, who added crucial runs (450+) in the middle order and displayed genuine leadership potential in the field, contributed significantly to MI’s recovery and strong final standing.

The need for financial efficiency in IPL 2026

Despite the strong playoff run, Mumbai’s squad efficiency, still built heavily on big auction splurges, requires careful financial restructuring to maintain their competitive edge. The team must streamline their finances to ensure they maximize their available purse for targeted, high-impact upgrades at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

A critical area demanding attention is the expensive overseas all-rounder slot, where a significant, high-priced investment failed to translate into effective death bowling or middle-order acceleration. This tied up substantial funds that could be better used elsewhere to acquire specialist talent.

Additionally, the franchise held onto high salaries for a couple of reserve overseas quicks who either arrived injured or were rarely rotated into the starting XI, providing zero on-field value and draining the purse. These players, who essentially acted as bench-warmers or temporary replacements, need to be released to free up capital. MI must rationalize these bench roles and optimize their finance-to-performance ratio to secure high-impact, value-for-money players in the upcoming auction, ensuring the 2025 momentum translates into a more competitive run in 2026.

5 players Mumbai Indians (MI) can release ahead of IPL 2026 auction

1. Deepak Chahar (Pacer)

• Contract Value: INR 9.25 Cr Reason for
• Release: High Cost vs Inconsistent Return

Deepak Chahar was acquired for a significant sum to lead the new-ball attack, but his performance in IPL 2025 was inconsistent, yielding only 11 wickets in 14 matches at a high economy rate of 9.17. His impact was limited, and his season was also hampered by injury, forcing him to miss crucial knockout games. For a contract value of INR 9.25 Cr, MI needs a more reliable and economical Indian pacer, or a player who can deliver with the new ball and at the death consistently. Releasing Chahar will free up a substantial portion of the purse to target a younger, high-impact domestic option.

2. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (Spinner)

• Contract Value: INR 4.80 Cr
• Reason for Release: Zero On-Field Contribution & Financial Block

The mystery spinner was bought for a surprisingly high price of INR 4.80 Cr but did not feature in a single match during the season, as he was ruled out due to injury. This entire investment was essentially tied up in a non-playing asset, blocking a significant amount of the budget. Given the need to strengthen their spin attack with proven talent, retaining an expensive, injured, and untested overseas player is a financial luxury MI cannot afford. His release is a necessary step for financial efficiency.

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3. Reece Topley (Pacer)

• Contract Value: INR 75 Lakh
• Reason for Release: Limited Utility and Underperformance

Reece Topley was a low-cost overseas pacer, but he played only one match in the entire tournament, conceding 40 runs in three overs with a poor economy rate of 13.33. With the presence of a strong overseas pace attack, Topley remained firmly on the bench, offering limited utility or a reliable backup option. Releasing this slot, even at a lower price point, allows MI to bring in a more versatile overseas player—perhaps an all-rounder or a specialist overseas spinner—to better balance the squad.

4. Lizaad Williams (Fast Bowler)

• Contract Value: INR 75 Lakh
• Reason for Release: Injury Replacement and Unused Capital

Lizaad Williams was ruled out of the entire IPL 2025 season due to injury before the tournament commenced, and MI signed Corbin Bosch as a replacement. While his contract is relatively small (INR 75 Lakh), releasing him is a straightforward roster clean-up. This frees up the overseas player slot and confirms the commitment to seeking fit, high-impact players who can actively contribute, rather than retaining players who were unavailable or required replacement.

5. Karn Sharma (Leg-spinner)

• Contract Value: INR 50 Lakh
• Reason for Release: Predictable Bowling & Need for a Dynamic Spinner

The experienced leg-spinner played six games in IPL 2025, taking seven wickets at an acceptable economy rate. However, his bowling often lacked the mystery or wicket-taking threat expected, becoming predictable in the middle overs. While his contract value is low, MI’s spin contingent needs a more dynamic and consistent performer capable of delivering crucial breakthroughs and tighter overs. Freeing up this domestic slot allows the team to invest in a younger, more impactful Indian spin talent with greater long-term potential.

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