MI's strongest playing XI and impact player options after IPL 2026 auction ft. Quinton de Kock & Rohit Sharma

The Mumbai Indians (MI) came into the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction with the fewest slots and the least purse. However, that didn't deter them from strengthening their squad on Tuesday, December 16.

Mumbai, who had done the heavy lifting via trades ahead of the auction, snapped up five players at the event. They filled their last remaining overseas slot and also signed a few exciting youngsters as backups across departments.

MI's squad for IPL 2026: Allah Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande, Mitchell Santner, Naman Dhir, Raghu Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Robin Minz, Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Will Jacks, Danish Malewar (INR 30 lakh), Quinton de Kock (INR 1 Cr), Atharva Ankolekar (INR 30 lakh), Mayank Rawat (INR 30 lakh), Mohammad Izhar (INR 30 lakh).

On that note, here is MI's strongest playing XI and impact player options after the IPL 2026 auction.

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock (wk)

2025 IPL: Qualifier 2 - Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty

Ryan Rickelton has been in dismal form in recent times, so MI could look to open the batting with new signing Quinton de Kock. The senior South African wicket-keeper has featured for the franchise before and shares a good rapport with Rohit Sharma, who will be at the other end.

Will Jacks is another exciting option, but it's hard to see how Mumbai will give themselves a wicket-keeper in the first-choice playing XI if they don't field De Kock. The Englishman could thus start on the bench.

Middle Order: Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir

Sherfane Rutherford, acquired via trade from the Gujarat Titans, is in line to feature in the first-choice playing XI. It's a toss-up between him and Jacks, and the West Indian's flexibility across middle-order roles could give him the edge despite the latter's bowling ability. This might be a call depending on the conditions, though.

The Indian core of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir will form the backbone of the middle order. These players are entirely undroppable, and it must also be said that MI don't have quality backups waiting to replace them in the event of injuries.

Lower Order: Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

Shardul Thakur was acquired via trade from the Lucknow Super Giants, but he is expected to be a backup for Deepak Chahar. Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah were the leaders of the pace attack during IPL 2025, and the same will continue this year.

The final spot in the side would be between Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch and Allah Ghazanfar. All three overseas players offer something unique, and it'll be hard for the five-time champions to definitively pick one.

Ghazanfar has been slightly underwhelming since his return from injury, and MI probably need a spinner more than a pacer. So Santner, who has been in good batting form lately, should have the edge.

Impact Player Options: Mayank Markande, Ashwani Kumar, Shardul Thakur

2025 IPL: Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty

MI are expected to be flexible with their impact player choice. Ashwani Kumar and Thakur would give them a fifth pace option in seamer-friendly conditions, while Mayank Markande - as the wrist-spinner - would probably be their go-to pick across the board.

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Edited by Sai Krishna