IPL 2026: Mayank Markande moves from KKR to MI

Published - 15 Nov 2025, 11:11 IST | Updated - 15 Nov 2025, 11:11 IST

Mayank Markande started his Indian Premier League (IPL) stint at the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the 2018 edition of the cash-rich tournament. He spent two seasons with the franchise, winning the title in 2019.

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, the Bathinda-born has been traded to MI from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Knights already have Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy in their ranks, with Anukul Roy being their third-choice spinner. Markande did not get a game in IPL 2025, and it is not too surprising to see him parting ways with the three-time champions.

Mumbai were on the lookout for a leg-spinner, as reports suggested that they were targeting either Markande or Rahul Chahar (Sunrisers Hyderabad). Both of them had played for them in the past. Eventually, the Punjab spinner who makes his return to the five-time champions.

After bagging 15 wickets in 14 matches in his debut season in 2018, Markande got picked in the Indian T20I side for a series against Australia and earned his maiden cap in February 2019 in Visakhapatnam. However, in the subsequent IPL season, he played only three games, managing just one wicket.

Markande was roped in by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of IPL 2020 for INR 2 crore. However, in two seasons at the Royals, he played only one game. Markande's second stint at MI came in IPL 2022, where he played just two matches.

The youngster went to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of IPL 2023 and got himself some much-awaited game time. In 17 matches across two seasons, Markande bagged 20 wickets. However, his career came to yet another frustrating standstill after arriving at KKR, as he had to watch the action from the sidelines.

Afghanistan's mystery spinner hopes to be retained by MI

Markande would be looking to bounce back strongly after re-signing with MI. The 28-year-old is also expected to get quite a few games, as MI do not have too many quality Indian spinners in their setup.