The team’s strength was their explosive batting unit, with the highlight being Suryakumar Yadav winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) distinction with 717 runs, and Hardik Pandya contributing 224 runs and 14 wickets. Their bowling attack, led by the experienced Trent Boult (22 wickets) and the ever reliable jasprit bumrah (183 career wickets for MI), provided regular breakthroughs, especially in the powerplay. Although their title challenge ended in Qualifier 2 against Punjab kingsMI demonstrated their competitive spirit and the strength of their core, paving the way for a minor recalibration rather than a full rebuild ahead of the 2026 auction.
Mumbai Indians (MI) can retain three foreign players ahead of the IPL 2026 auction
1. Trent Boult (Pace Bowler)
Trent Boult is an irreplaceable, world-class asset who gives Mumbai Indians the crucial ability to strike early in the power game. He was retained/acquired by MI before IPL 2025 for a high price (INR 12.5 crore), which shows the immense value they place on his new skills. His IPL 2025 performance was stellar, finishing as MI’s leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 16 matches, including a crucial four-wicket haul. Boult’s partnership with Jasprit Bumrah creates a nightmare opening spell for opposition batters, making his ability to swing the ball and take wickets in advance an essential part of MI’s bowling dominance.
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2. Mitchell Santner (spin bowling all-rounder)
Mitchell Santner is a strategic retainer for MI due to his dual value as an economical spinner and handy lower-order batsman, providing significant balance to the team. Santner was signed by MI for INR 2.0 crore for IPL 2025. He delivered an exceptional spell against Delhi Capitals where he took three wickets for just 11 runs, demonstrating his potential in terms of pitch-turning. He played 13 matches in IPL 2025, demonstrating smart bowling in the middle overs, maintaining an impressive economic pace and providing useful depth to the batting line-up. His flexibility and ability to contribute at multiple stages make him a high-quality, cost-effective overseas all-rounder.
3. Will Jacks (all-round hitter)
Will Jacks is a highly rated all-rounder abroad that offers explosive batting firepower at the top or middle order, along with a handy off-spin bowling option. MI reportedly spent INR 5.25 crore to acquire him in the IPL 2025 auction. Jacks contributed with 233 runs in 13 matches with a solid strike rate and picked up six wickets, adding tactical flexibility to the playing XI. While he is not a top player in every game, his high ceiling as an aggressive batsman and reliable spinner is exactly the kind of player MI retains to maintain a large group of foreign multi-utility players who can step up when required.
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