The 2026 season was supposed to mark a fresh chapter for the Mumbai Indians. Instead, it turned into one of the franchise’s most disappointing IPL campaigns. The five-time champions managed only four wins in 14 matches and finished ninth in the standings despite having one of the strongest squads on paper. Naturally, discussions surrounding the Mumbai Indians released players ahead of IPL 2027 have already started gaining momentum. With a mega squad overhaul expected before the next season, several high-profile stars could be shown the exit door.

Trent Boult

When the Mumbai Indians spent heavily on Trent Boult, they expected the veteran New Zealand pacer to spearhead the bowling attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah. However, the reality was completely different. Boult endured a disastrous IPL 2026 season, managing only two wickets in five matches. Even more worrying was his inability to control runs during crucial phases of the innings. He finished with an economy rate of 11.62 and a bowling average of 94.00, numbers that simply do not justify a price tag of Rs 12.50 crore.

Trent Boult’s Bowling Stats in IPL 2026

His struggles were visible right from the start. Against the Kolkata Knight Riders, he went wicketless while conceding 38 runs. He followed that with expensive outings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings. With MI looking to rebuild and free up significant auction funds, Boult appears to be among the most likely candidates in the conversation around the Mumbai Indians released players ahead of IPL 2027.

Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner’s season was unfortunate rather than outright poor. The New Zealand captain played only four matches before suffering a serious shoulder injury that ruled him out of the tournament. During those appearances, he picked up four wickets and maintained reasonable control in the middle overs.

Mitchell Santner’s Bowling Stats in IPL 2026

However, IPL squad building is often about balance rather than individual performances. Mumbai Indians already possess multiple overseas spin options. Afghanistan sensation Allah Ghazanfar is viewed as a long-term investment, while Will Jacks provides both spin and explosive batting value. Because of that, Santner’s role within the squad became less clear.

Sherfane Rutherford

Sherfane Rutherford’s IPL 2026 campaign perfectly summed up the Mumbai Indians’ season. There were flashes of brilliance. But there was very little consistency. The West Indies batter was brought in from the Gujarat Titans to strengthen MI’s finishing department. At times, he looked capable of winning matches single-handedly. His stunning unbeaten 71 off just 31 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was among the most explosive innings of the season.

Sherfane Rutherford’s Batting Stats in IPL 2026

The knock featured nine towering sixes and showcased the immense power that makes Rutherford such a dangerous T20 batter. However, that innings remained an exception. Across eight matches, he scored only 123 runs. In six of his seven batting opportunities, he failed to cross 25. There were also multiple single-digit dismissals, including a duck against the Chennai Super Kings. As a result, his name frequently appears in discussions surrounding the Mumbai Indians’ released players ahead of IPL 2027.

Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar was expected to solve the Mumbai Indians’ long-standing powerplay bowling concerns. Instead, he became part of the problem. The experienced Indian pacer finished IPL 2026 with eight wickets in eight matches. While that statistic may not look terrible initially, his overall impact was far below expectations.

Deepak Chahar’s Bowling Stats in IPL 2026

Several matches highlighted his struggles. Against the Punjab Kings, he was smashed for 45 runs in just 2.3 overs. Rajasthan Royals targeted him heavily, while Lucknow Super Giants also managed to score freely against him. The bigger concern was his inability to provide consistent support to Jasprit Bumrah.

 

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Then comes the financial angle. Chahar’s Rs 9.25 crore salary occupies a significant portion of the team’s purse. With younger options like Ashwani Kumar and Krish Bhagat emerging, MI could choose to invest those funds elsewhere. Therefore, releasing Chahar ahead of the next auction would not be a surprising move.

Hardik Pandya

No player faced more pressure during IPL 2026 than Hardik Pandya. Unfortunately, neither his leadership nor his performances managed to turn things around. His individual numbers did little to silence critics. Pandya scored only 172 runs across nine innings and failed to register a single half-century. His highest score was 40. With the ball, he managed just four wickets while struggling for rhythm throughout the tournament.

Hardik Pandya’s Bowling Stats in IPL 2026

Hardik Pandya’s Batting Stats in IPL 2026

But statistics tell only part of the story. Reports after MI’s elimination suggested tensions within the dressing room. Multiple media outlets claimed that Pandya felt isolated as captain and that internal dynamics had become increasingly strained during the season. If Mumbai decides to completely reset its leadership structure, Pandya’s departure could become the biggest headline of the offseason.

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Conclusion

The Mumbai Indians management has never hesitated to make bold decisions when rebuilding a squad. After finishing ninth in IPL 2026, a major reset now appears inevitable. Discussions around the Mumbai Indians released players ahead of IPL 2027 are only expected to intensify as the auction approaches. If the aforementioned names indeed get axed, it could signal the beginning of another major rebuild as MI chase a return to championship-winning standards.