Mumbai Indians face tough choices before the IPL 2026 auction begins. All-rounders win matches with both bat and ball regularly. MI must retain their best all-round players for next season.
Key All-Rounders MI Should Retain
- Will Jacks
Will Jacks joined MI for Rs 5.25 crore last season. The English player scored 233 runs in his debut year. He also picked up 6 wickets with an economy under 9.
Jacks showed his batting skills in several crucial matches. His bowling surprised many opponents during tight situations too. MI should retain him as a valuable player.
The 25-year-old brings energy and versatility to the playing eleven. He can bat anywhere in the order when needed. His bowling gives MI an extra option during powerplays.
- Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner came to MI for Rs 2 crore only. The New Zealand spinner may not play every match. But having him as backup gives MI great squad depth.
Santner grabbed 10 wickets across 13 matches last season. He scored 40 runs whenever the team needed him. His recent form in T20Is looks impressive with 55 runs.
MI should retain Santner before the auction starts for sure. Quality backup players like him win championships ultimately. His experience helps younger players learn spin bowling tricks.
- Raj Bawa
Raj Bawa reminds everyone of young Hardik Pandya’s style. MI successfully developed Hardik into a world-class all-rounder. Now they must do the same for Bawa carefully.
The fast-bowling all-rounder has played 23 T20 matches already. He scored 316 runs and took 22 wickets so far. His potential looks unlimited at this young age.
MI must retain Bawa as a long-term investment for IPL 2026. He could become their next big star in the coming years. The franchise knows how to groom young all-round talent well.
Smart Retention Strategy Needed
The Mumbai Indians have stars like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav. They will retain Hardik Pandya as captain without any doubt. But these three all-rounders deserve spots too in the squad.
The auction will see many teams chasing quality all-rounders desperately. MI cannot let these three players go to rivals. Their retention before IPL 2026 makes perfect business sense now.
