IPL 2026: MI should release Deepak Chahar and target these three players ahead of auction

Fast bowler Deepak Chahar, who was roped in by the Mumbai Indians for a whopping INR 9.25 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, struggled to make the impact the team had hoped for. Coming off a successful

six-year stint with Chennai Super Kings, Chahar was expected to spearhead MI’s powerplay attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. However, the Uttar Pradesh-born pacer managed just 11 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 9.17.

While he had a few moments of brilliance, Chahar fell short of the standards he set at CSK, where he was MS Dhoni’s go-to powerplay bowler. His injury-prone history further puts him under pressure. Releasing Chahar could free up a significant budget, allowing the Mumbai Indians to explore alternative pace options to strengthen their bowling attack.

---

Here are 3 potential replacements MI must look at over Deepak Chahar

3. Harshal Patel

Mumbai Indians could look at Harshal Patel as a potential replacement for Deepak Chahar in the IPL 2026 auction. The 34-year-old pacer, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 8 crore in IPL 2025, had a decent season, taking 16 wickets in 13 games at an economy of 9.80. Notably, eight of those wickets came in just two matches. Despite this, Harshal’s experience and skill in the death overs make him a valuable asset for any franchise looking to strengthen their bowling attack.

Over a decade-long career, Harshal has had successful stints at RCB, Punjab Kings, and now SRH. He has twice won the IPL Purple Cap, in 2021 and 2024. With his return to Gujarat for domestic cricket, Harshal remains motivated to continue performing, making him a strong pick for the Mumbai-based franchise.

2. Vasuki Koushik

Vasuki Koushik, a right-arm medium pacer from Karnataka, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, with 95 first-class wickets at an average of 18.54 and notable performances in List A and T20 tournaments. Last season, Koushik claimed 23 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches and also made significant contributions in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Recently moving to Goa, he is looking to partner with Arjun Tendulkar, sharing the new-ball duties. Koushik can be a valuable addition to MI’s bowling unit, especially in the middle overs. The five-time champions are known to scout players and give them the platform to perform. Koushik can be another successful story coming from the Mumbai talent pool.

1. Ben Sears

New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been making headlines with his express pace, regularly hitting speeds above 140 kph. Sears made his international debut in 2021 and has since featured across all three formats. While his international career is still just starting, his domestic exploits include a Plunket Shield title and a central contract.

With the ability to extract bounce and skid the ball off the pitch, Sears could provide MI with a genuine bowler who can disturb top-order batters in IPL conditions. He could also have the chance to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah and use the Wankhede conditions to his benefit.