Mumbai Indians Activating Backbencher Mode Heading into IPL 2026 Auction?

Mumbai Indians roll into the IPL 2026 Auction looking more like a team out on a joyride than one under pressure, as the five-time champions arrive with a near-settled core and minimal shopping left to do. With 20 players already locked in before the retention deadline, MI have held firm on their biggest names — Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma — signalling stability rather than overhaul. Most of the exits came from the overseas and fringe category, leaving the franchise with just one overseas slot open and a purse that barely nudges ₹3 crore.

In this episode of The Bhaais, we break down why MI can afford to be in full backbencher mode. The squad is balanced, the roles are defined, and all they realistically need from this auction is a set of reliable domestic backups and one smart overseas pick — nothing flashy, nothing chaotic. With pre-auction trades like Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford already boosting depth, MI’s auction table stance feels relaxed, almost playful.

Are Mumbai Indians simply too well-stacked for 2026, or is this calm an illusion before the storm? The Bhaais dive in, decode the strategy, and call out the fun, carefree vibe with which MI enter this year’s auction arena.

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