Mumbai Indians kept their Indian core together heading into IPL 2026. Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Surya, and Bumrah all stayed with the franchise. But the overseas section got a major shakeup during the auction.
MI made some really smart moves to fix problems from last season. They brought back an old favourite and grabbed a powerful finisher. The 4 overseas players in the MI lineup look perfectly balanced now.
- Quinton de Kock
De Kock’s coming back to MI was the biggest auction story for them. They grabbed him for just Rs 1 Crore, which is an absolutely crazy value. QDK won two titles with Mumbai back in 2019 and 2020.
His partnership with Rohit at the top was deadly back then. The left-hander’s aggression perfectly matches Rohit’s calmer style up front. De Kock knows exactly how to handle pressure situations in big matches.
He’ll definitely open and keep wickets for MI this season. That chemistry with Rohit doesn’t need rebuilding because it’s already there. Mumbai got itself a bargain signing here, no doubt about it.
- Sherfane Rutherford
MI pulled off a clever trade getting Rutherford from the Gujarat Titans. Tim David left for RCB, so they needed another big hitter. Kieron Pollard used to own that finishing role for a whole decade.
Rutherford’s a proper power hitter who loves smashing pace bowling late. The left-hander can clear boundaries from the very first ball easily. He brings something different to Mumbai’s batting order down the order.
MI needed someone alongside Hardik who could close out tight chases. Rutherford fits that role perfectly based on his recent performances elsewhere. The 4 overseas players in the MI lineup needed this kind of muscle.
- Trent Boult
Boult got retained before the auction because he’s that valuable honestly. His partnership with Bumrah remains cricket’s most dangerous new-ball combo. Last season proved he’s still got all his swing and wickets.
MI’s whole strategy depends on early wickets exposing middle-order batsmen. Nobody does that job better than Boult with his left-arm swing. Hardik can throw the ball to him anytime and expect breakthroughs.
He’ll bowl the first over and then come back for death. Boult’s experience makes him irreplaceable in Mumbai’s bowling plans going forward.
- Mitchell Santner
Santner edges out other spinners because he bats pretty well too. His left-arm spin controls the middle overs when batsmen look to attack. MI needs that spin variety alongside their Indian spin options available.
Allah Ghazanfar is another quality overseas spinner MI could use instead. But Santner gets first preference due to his handy batting contributions. The 4 overseas players in the MI lineup need someone who offers both skills.
He won’t win matches alone but provides the balance MI wants. New Zealand spinners always perform well in Indian conditions historically anyway.
