Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have selected Krish Bhagat to replace injured spin all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar for the IPL 2026 season. Bhagat, a 21-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Punjab, will join the team for a base price of Rs 30 lakh. He brings versatility as a bowler and lower-order batsman, having played for Reliance Team and been part of MI trials for two years.
Krish Bhagat, with experience in seven first-class matches and nine List A matches, offers Mumbai Indians a valuable addition to their squad. His skills as a right-arm fast bowler and his ability with the bat make him a promising asset for the team. Bhagat’s inclusion comes after Atharva Ankolekar’s unfortunate injury forced him out of the tournament.
Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 campaign started with a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) but faced subsequent defeats against Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The team, led by Rohit Sharma, is striving to regain momentum after a series of setbacks. Sharma’s injury further complicates their journey as they prepare to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Wankhede Stadium.
MI’s quest for another IPL title has been challenging since their last win in 2020. Despite being five-time champions, they faced elimination in the previous season’s qualifiers against Punjab Kings. The team’s upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their performance and ability to bounce back in the tournament.
