Mumbai Indians have endured a deeply underwhelming IPL 2026 campaign, culminating in their elimination from playoff contention after just 11 matches, and
thus getting eliminated from the playoff race.
The five-time champions finished with a dismal record of three wins and eight losses, accumulating only six points, leaving them ninth on the points table.
The season was marked by chronic inconsistency. After an opening win against Kolkata Knight Riders, MI suffered heavy defeats, including a 103-run thrashing by Chennai Super Kings and multiple batting collapses.
Their top order, featuring Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ryan Rickelton, showed flashes of brilliance but lacked stability, while the middle order repeatedly failed under pressure. Bowling was equally patchy; Jasprit Bumrah remained the standout performer, but the rest of the attack leaked runs at alarming rates, exacerbated by injuries to skipper Hardik Pandya and frequent changes in the playing XI.
Hardik's leadership came under scrutiny amid poor execution and tactical missteps. The squad's ageing core struggled to adapt to the high-octane demands of modern T20 cricket, mirroring their 2024 wooden-spoon finish. A last-ball, two-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur on May 10 proved the final nail in the coffin. Even with three matches remaining, MI's maximum of 12 points fell short of the top-four cutoff.
For a franchise built on excellence, this early exit - their second in three years under the current setup - signals a pressing need for overhaul. While the legacy endures, 2026 exposed glaring gaps in depth and form. Fans and management alike will look toward 2027 for a much-needed revival, and as a consequence, they may look to offload a number of players. Here are five big-money signings who may be laid off ahead of the IPL 2027 mini auction.
Trent Boult
Price: Rs 12.5 crore
After a big-money buy in the mega auction, Trent Boult has failed to deliver for Mumbai Indians yet again. The New Zealand pacer has only played five matches this season, picking up just 2 wickets. The 36-year-old pacer may well be offloaded ahead of the mini auction later this year.
Rohit Sharma
Price: Rs 16.30 crore
Rohit Sharma's tenure with Mumbai Indians may finally come to an end after this season. The veteran's injury issues have hampered him this season, and even without that, Rohit's contribution with the bat has not been humongous for MI in the past couple of seasons. With age not a friend for Rohit, Mumbai may aim to offload the veteran and free up their purse.
Hardik Pandya
Price: Rs 16.35 crore
After an eventful return to Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya's stint as MI captain has been thornier than it has been flowery. The Indian all-rounder has found things difficult as MI got eliminated twice from group stages in three years of his captaincy. Amid this season's injury woes and off-field murmurs, the MI management may look to let him go, albeit in the upcoming auction or a year after that.
Deepak Chahar
Price: Rs 9.25 crore
Deepak Chahar has been underwhelming for Mumbai Indians. He picked up 11 wickets last season, and has just 3 so far in five matches in this one. The Indian pacer has failed to replicate his CSK outings for the Paltans and MI may look to offload him as well.
