Mumbai Indians could make several major changes to their squad ahead of the IPL 2027 auction after another disappointing campaign. The five-time champions finished ninth in IPL 2026, winning only four of their 14 matches and missing the playoffs after reaching the top four in the previous season.

The franchise has also appointed Kieron Pollard as its new head coach, replacing Mahela Jayawardene. Pollard previously served as the Mumbai Indians' batting coach from 2023 to 2026 after retiring as a player. The management will have to take important decisions about its squad composition and leadership.

Which Players Are Mumbai Indians Likely to Retain Ahead of IPL 2027?

Despite their poor performance last season, Mumbai Indians are expected to retain their experienced Indian core. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav remain important players, while Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir have also shown enough promise to stay in the squad.

The franchise could also retain overseas players Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Mitchell Santner, and Will Jacks. Young spinner Allah Ghazanfar could remain part of the setup. Mumbai will look to maintain a balance between experienced international players and emerging talent.

Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are also among the likely retentions despite struggling during IPL 2026. The franchise could continue to back the Indian seamers because of their experience and ability to contribute in Indian conditions.

Mumbai Indians' predicted retained players list: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Corbin Bosch, Mitchell Santner, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mohammad Izhar, Allah Ghazanfar, Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar.

Hardik Pandya, Trent Boult Among Players Mumbai Indians Could Release

The side began its IPL 2026 campaign with a win against Kolkata Knight Riders but struggled to maintain momentum. It became the second team to be eliminated after Lucknow Super Giants and finished ninth with eight points, after losing ten of their 14 matches.

Captain Hardik Pandya also had a disappointing season with both bat and ball. He scored 206 runs in 10 matches at an average of 22.89 and a strike rate of 138, without registering a half-century. He also managed only four wickets at an expensive economy rate of 11.43.

Several other players, including some members of the retained core, also struggled for consistency. However, the franchise could consider releasing overseas players Quinton de Kock and Trent Boult.

The franchise could also release domestic players Robin Minz, Danish Malewar, Raj Bawa, Mayank Rawat and Krish Bhagat. Spinners Mayank Markande, Ashwani Kumar and Raghu Sharma, along with Keshav Maharaj, could also enter the auction pool.

Mumbai Indians' predicted released players list: Hardik Pandya, Quinton de Kock, Robin Minz, Danish Malewar, Raj Bawa, Mayank Rawat, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Ashwani Kumar, Raghu Sharma and Keshav Maharaj.

Why Mumbai Indians Could Make Major Squad Changes Ahead of IPL 2027

The five-time champions have not won the IPL title since 2020 and have reached the playoffs only twice during this period. They have also failed to reach the final for six consecutive seasons. Under Hardik Pandya, who took over as captain, the franchise has made the top four only once in the last three seasons.

Their IPL 2026 campaign exposed several weaknesses, particularly at their home venue. Despite reaching the playoffs in 2025, the side struggled throughout the latest season and lost both league matches against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings.

These inconsistent performances could push the management to release several established names and rebuild the squad. Hardik's struggles with the bat and ball, along with his captaincy during the last three seasons, could also prompt a leadership rethink.