The Mumbai Indians experienced a trademark turnaround season in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, ultimately qualifying for the Qualifier 2 after a mixed start. They finished the league stage in 4th place with 8 wins and 6 losses from 14 matches, showcasing their ability to find momentum when it mattered most.
The team’s strength was their explosive batting unit, highlighted by Suryakumar Yadav winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with 717 runs, and Hardik Pandya contributing with 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), ensured regular breakthroughs, particularly in the powerplay. Though their title challenge ended in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings, MI demonstrated their competitive spirit and the strength of their core, setting the stage for minor recalibration rather than a full rebuild ahead of the 2026 auction.
3 overseas players Mumbai Indians (MI) can retain ahead of IPL 2026 auction
1. Trent Boult (Pace Bowler)
Trent Boult is an irreplaceable world-class asset who provides Mumbai Indians with the crucial ability to strike early in the powerplay. He was retained/acquired by MI for a high price (INR 12.5 crore) ahead of IPL 2025, demonstrating the immense value they place on his new-ball prowess. 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 upfront an essential part of MI’s bowling dominance.
2. Mitchell Santner (Spin-Bowling All-Rounder)
Mitchell Santner is a strategic retention for MI due to his dual value as an economical spinner and a handy lower-order batter, offering 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 on turning pitches. He played 13 matches in IPL 2025, showcasing smart bowling in the middle overs, maintaining an impressive economy rate, and providing useful depth to the batting line-up. His flexibility and ability to contribute in multiple phases make him a high-utility, cost-effective overseas all-rounder.
3. Will Jacks (Batting All-Rounder)
Will Jacks is a highly valued overseas all-rounder who provides explosive batting firepower at the top or middle order, along with a handy off-spin bowling option. MI spent a reported INR 5.25 crore to acquire him in the IPL 2025 auction. Jacks contributed with 233 runs in 13 matches at a solid strike rate and picked up six wickets, adding tactical flexibility to the playing XI. While not a top-tier performer in every game, his high ceiling as an aggressive hitter and reliable spinner is exactly the kind of player MI retains to maintain a deep bench of overseas multi-utility players who can step up when needed.
