Big Names Whom Mumbai Indians Can Release After IPL 2026 Elimination

Players MI can release after IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]

On paper, the Mumbai Indians were the favourites to clinch the IPL 2026 trophy. The squad had world-class individual players, and some of them had recently won the T20 World Cup. However, the tables turned, and Mumbai became the second team after LSG to crash out of the tournament.

The batters struggled to score runs, and the bowlers could not take wickets consistently. As a result, the opponents took advantage, and the team won only 3 of their 11 games, exiting the tournament two weeks before the league stage ended.

Several MI players underperformed throughout the tournament, and after a disastrous season, the franchise could aim to rebuild the squad. Hence, with MI’s IPL 2026 season over, here are the players the former IPL champions can release.

1) Suryakumar Yadav

At 35, Suryakumar Yadav is not getting any younger, and his performances (both in T20Is, and the IPL) have dipped massively. Once the star of the franchise, Suryakumar witnessed a great slump in the ongoing season and has failed to deliver the goods for Mumbai Indians.

With Rohit Sharma out for most of the IPL 2026 season, MI needed their senior batter, SKY to stand and take responsibility for the bulk of runs, but the Indian T20I captain crumbled under pressure, and the stats reveal the story.

(Suryakumar in IPL 2026 so far)

• Just 195 runs in 11 innings, with an average of 17, and a strike rate of 144, define Surya’s IPL 2026 campaign so far. Often, he has crumbled under pressure, and it has hampered MI’s campaign.
• With Mumbai Indians looking to start afresh before IPL 2027, the management could be tempted to bring in younger players, and thus, SKY could be released.

2) Hardik Pandya

There was a sense of optimism when Mumbai traded Hardik Pandya back before the IPL 2024; however, the move turned out to be a disaster as the MI captain has failed as a leader, and as an all-rounder.

Under his tenure, MI couldn’t reach the knockouts in 2024, and 2026, and were eliminated in Qualifer 2 against Punjab Kings, last year. Moreover, captaincy hampered his own performance, and the stats this year reveal how far Hardik Pandya has fallen as an all-rounder.

(Hardik Pandya in IPL 2026)

• In IPL 2026, Hardik Pandya has just slammed 146 runs, with a strike rate of 136. Moreover, with the ball, the right-arm pacer has bagged just 4 wickets, with an economy touching 11 runs per over.
• His captaincy decisions have been questioned on a regular basis, and with Mumbai failing to qualify for the playoffs in two of his last three seasons as skipper, the franchise could move him out of the team before the next season.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya To Part Ways With Mumbai Indians? Latest Activity Sparks Buzz

3) Trent Boult

When the Mumbai Indians brought back Trent Boult in their setup, the fans were excited to witness him and Jasprit Bumrah tear down the opponents, but nothing of that sort happened.

Boult’s performances have been dismal, and he has been in and out of the team throughout the campaign. In five games this IPL 2026, Boult has only managed to pick up 2 wickets, with an average of 94, and an economy of 11.63.

The Kiwi fast bowler has lost some of his pace and swing, and the left-armer is no longer able to take wickets during the power play, a skill he once mastered in the IPL. Hence, by releasing him after the season, MI can go after a young pace bowler in the next auction.

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