Overview:
Although he batted at No. 4 for GT on 19 occasions during the 2021-2022 seasons, this position has been less frequently used since his return to MI.
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has named his predicted playing XI for the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The team features a star-filled lineup with multiple options for different combinations.
Jaffer believes that either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock could open the batting alongside Rohit Sharma in IPL 2026, providing flexibility at the top. Both players bring experience and aggressive intent, making them strong candidates.
He has also positioned Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3, a crucial spot where his ability to play both anchor and attacking roles will be vital. In a notable move, Jaffer has promoted Hardik Pandya to No. 4, a position he played only once in IPL 2025. This shift aims to bring out Pandya’s finishing skills in the middle overs, adding balance and depth to the batting lineup.
Jaffer has decided to exclude the in-form England all-rounder Will Jacks from his predicted playing XI for the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Despite Jacks’ recent strong performances, Jaffer has chosen to include Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, and Trent Boult as the three overseas players in his lineup. Rutherford, a powerful middle-order batter, adds depth to the batting, while Santner’s left-arm spin provides balance and versatility.
“Ryan Rickelton/Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mayank Markande, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
Pandya, who captained Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, enjoyed a solid season with the bat. However, since rejoining MI, he has batted at No. 4 just three times. Although he batted at No. 4 for GT on 19 occasions during the 2021-2022 seasons, this position has been less frequently used since his return to MI.