5 players Mumbai Indians (MI) can target in the IPL 2026 mini-auction

Mumbai Indians enter the IPL 2026 Auction with a meager purse of ₹2.75 crore and five slots to fill, including one spot abroad, after maintaining a strong core led by Hardik PandyaRohit Sharma, and jasprit bumrah. The event, scheduled for December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, will feature more than 1,300 registered players competing for 77 spots across various franchises. MI’s strategy focuses on targeted reinforcements in finishing power and bowling depth to strengthen their title push

5 players Mumbai Indians (MI) can target in the IPL 2026 mini-auction

Mumbai could strategically bid for these five players to address key gaps in their squad, combining experience, domestic promise and T20 expertise.

1. David Miller

The South African powerhouse offers mid-level firepower with a proven IPL strike rate of over 139 in 132 matches, including 136 sixes and sharp fielding. Published by Lucknow supergiants After a 2025 season of 153 runs in 11 matches, his death-overs finish meets MI’s aggressive batting needs at a potential base price of less than ₹2 crore.

2. KM Asif

The Indian pacer has raw T20 wicket-taking ability, claiming 40 scalps in 36 matches at an economy of 8.32, with a best of 3/15. Offered at a modest base price of ₹40 lakh for the auction, Asif represents a cost-effective pace depth for MI’s depleted overseas limited attack.

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3. Akash Madhwal

A familiar face to MI fans, the Roorkee speedster exploded in 2023 with 14 wickets, including a record of 5/5 against Lucknow Super Giants. Published by Rajasthan Royals after form dips, his powerplay and death-over skills make him an affordable, unlimited buyback of around ₹30 lakh to regain his MI role.

4. Nathan Ellis

The Australian death-over specialist was impressed C.S.K in 2025 for ₹2 crore, taking wickets every 17.5 balls in IPL with sharp yorkers on slower decks. If post-retention shifts are available, his variations fill MI’s overseas pace gap perfectly, although bidding wars loom given his T20 pedigree in 11 IPL games.

5. Vignesj Puthur

The young left-arm wrist spinner from Kerala debuted brightly for MI in 2025, scoring 3/32 against CSK despite limited previous T20 exposure. Released in team customization, its mysterious twist at a low base price offers high domestic rotation, in line with MI’s youth investment ethos.

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