Suresh Raina wants Mumbai Indians to release former RCB star ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former cricketer Suresh Raina feels that the Mumbai Indians (MI) should release all-rounder Will Jacks ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The five-time winners had roped in the Englishman for INR 5.25 crore during the mega auction last year after a bidding war with the Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Will Jacks had a mediocre first season with the franchise, scoring 233 runs in 13 matches at an average of 23.33 and a strike rate of 135.47. He played in four different batting positions during the season, as he was asked to open on one occasion, while also batting as low as No.7, soon after.

He was a handy presence with the ball, used as the third spinner on occasion, especially against the opponents' left-handed batters. The England international picked up six wickets in the season at an average of 20 and an economy of 8.57.

However, Raina feels that Jacks will be among the players released by MI, along with Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. On the other hand, he stated that the likes of Rohit Sharma, Deepak Chahar, and Trent Boult will be retained.

"Will Jacks?" the presenter asked.

"Fold. I think they will release him," Raina replied.

The former batter made a strong case for the core trio of Rohit Sharma, Trent Boult, and Deepak Chahar, who collectively comprise INR 38.05 crore of the purse.

"They should hold him (Rohit Sharma), he has won a lot of trophies for them. Deepak Chahar is just in, it depends on what options they have, so they can either release him or retain him, but they might not get players at the auction, so I think they should retain him. They should retain him (Trent Boult), he is a gun player, the advantage that he has as a left-arm bowler, they should retain him," Raina said on Star Sports.

The IPL franchises will release the list of their retained players by the deadline day, Saturday, November 15. The IPL mini-auction is reportedly scheduled to take place next month as teams look to finalise their squads for the next season.

Will Jacks is set to feature in the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series amid IPL auction build-up

The all-rounder was a surprise call-up for England's squad for the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia. He features as the second spinner in the squad alongside Shoaib Bashir, as he was preferred over the likes of Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed.

He missed the recently concluded white-ball series in New Zealand due to a broken finger, but is expected to recover in time for the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21 onwards.