MI before vs after retentions: Did they make the right calls or mistakes?

Published - 25 Nov 2025, 16:14 IST | Updated - 25 Nov 2025, 16:14 IST

The five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) concluded their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign with a third-place finish, falling short in Qualifier 2 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Their season was a tale of two halves, after a mixed run during the group stage, they found momentum toward the back end, surging into the playoffs with renewed confidence.

At the IPL 2025 mega auction, Mumbai assembled a well-rounded squad, bringing in the likes of Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Mitchell Santner, and Trent Boult. These additions strengthened the team’s balance, giving them a strong mix of all-rounders, specialist bowlers, and explosive batters capable of adapting to varied match situations. Despite possessing one of the strongest cores in the league, featuring Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Jasprit Bumrah, MI fell short of clinching their sixth IPL title.

MI 2026 Retentions: Released, Retained & Trade Players List

With the IPL 2025 retention deadline approaching, the big question was whether Mumbai would make bold changes or stick to their reliable core. Ultimately, MI opted for stability, and released only a handful of players, including Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karn Sharma, Reece Topley, Bevon Jacobs, Lizaad Williams, and a few emerging youngsters.

This measured approach ensured the franchise preserved the integrity of its proven XI while making space for further strategic additions. Entering the mini-auction with a purse of INR 2.75 crore, MI maintained flexibility without disrupting team chemistry.

Mumbai also completed several smart trades, acquiring Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants, Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans, and Mayank Markande from Kolkata Knight Riders. These moves bolstered their depth across departments. With a blend of seasoned performers and promising youngsters such as Robin Minz, Naman Dhir, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, and AM Ghazanfar, the squad looks balanced.

When evaluating their retention strategy, it is clear that MI made sensible and well-calculated choices. By safeguarding their experienced core and enhancing depth through trades, the franchise positioned itself strongly for the upcoming season. With just a few uncapped talents to target in the mini-auction, Mumbai appears primed to challenge for the title once again in IPL 2026.