IPL 2026: 5 Players MI should target in mini auction

Mumbai Indians go into the IPL 2026 mini-auction with not many holes to fill. They would want a genuine new-ball threat, a wrist-spinner who takes middle-over wickets, a seam option for bounce, and flexible overseas depth. The released-player pool hands MI a rare chance to buy proven match-winners, but here are five players who make immediate sense for Mumbai, and why each fits the franchise’s tactical needs.

1. Matheesha Pathirana

Pathirana’s slinging action and raw pace make him a rare death-over weapon who can unsettle batters with both speed and awkward angles. Injuries and an elevated economy in IPL 2025 dented his stock, and CSK’s decision to release him reflects workload and form questions, but his ceiling remains enormous if medicals are clean. 

For MI, Pathirana would be a direct answer to the need for an extra specialist who can bowl toe-crushing yorkers and finish games. Paired with Bumrah, he gives a lethal middle overs and death combination that can reverse matches in short spells.

2. Gerald Coetzee

Coetzee brings high-end pace and the ability to extract bounce — the kind of front-foot aggression that unsettles top-order batters early. His 2025 IPL cameo showed glimpses (a short run of matches with a couple of wickets), and his profile suits Mumbai’s plan to rotate strike bowlers and preserve senior quicks across a long season. 

Coetzee is a buy for teams that want a genuine wicket-taker up front. He is a tall and sharp strike bowler who complements an experienced leader rather than replaces one. MI would get immediate returns in powerplays and bouncy venues.

3. Quinton de Kock

De Kock’s inclusion in the final auction list is a clear signal: a world-class left-handed opener and wicketkeeper is available to teams that need power at the top. De Kock brings consistent high strike rates in the powerplay, strong running between wickets, and dependable glovework — everything MI would want if they decide to reorganise the top order around Rohit. 

A stable starting batter who also relieves pressure on the keeper slot is a luxury value in a long tournament. He has previously played for the team and has had immense success as well. This can be a turnaround for both.

4. Wanindu Hasaranga

Hasaranga offers what few bowlers do: genuine middle-over wicket-taking ability plus useful batting lower down. His leg-spin — attacking flight, a reliable wrong’un and the knack for forcing false shots, make him an automatic plug-in for surfaces that grip. 

For MI, he solves the middle-over wicket problem without sacrificing batting depth as he gives two match-defining skills in one overseas slot. Even when a touch off, Hasaranga’s economy and strike records in T20s keep him among the most coveted spin match-winners.

5. Michael Bracewell

Bracewell is the classic tournament-long workhorse: left-handed middle-order batting that steadies and accelerates, tidy off-spin and top-tier fielding. He rarely grabs headlines but fixes shading problems of rotating strike, covering 2–3 overs, and batting responsibly in the tricky 12–18 overs. For MI, Bracewell would be a cost-efficient insurance policy as he adds balance, saves an overseas slot for a bigger hitter, and reduces selection headaches by reliably doing multiple small jobs well.

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