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Irfan Pathan's MI 2026 XI: Shardul Thakur Dropped, Key Overseas Stars Out

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has selected his preferred playing 12 for the Mumbai Indians ahead of their IPL 2026 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders. His lineup features Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma opening, with a strong middle order of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. Notably, Pathan has left out all-rounder Shardul Thakur, favoring specialist roles, and addressed the absence of key overseas players Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner. The five-time champions will look to build on last season's playoff run and end their title drought.

Key Points: Irfan Pathan Picks Mumbai Indians' Playing 12 for IPL 2026 Opener

  • Pathan's XII omits Shardul Thakur
  • Rohit backed as full-time player, not Impact Sub
  • Will Jacks & Mitchell Santner miss opener
  • Balanced bowling with Bumrah, Boult, Chahar
2 min read

IPL 2026: Shardul Thakur misses out as Pathan's Mumbai Indians' playing 12 vs KKR

Irfan Pathan selects his Mumbai Indians XII for IPL 2026 vs KKR. Rohit Sharma to open, Shardul Thakur misses out, and key players are absent.

"His leadership and presence on the field remain crucial for the side. - Irfan Pathan on Rohit Sharma"

New Delhi, March 29

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has picked his strongest playing 12 for five-time champions Mumbai Indians ahead of their opening clash in the Indian Premier League 2026 against three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Mumbai have been dealt an early blow as two key overseas players, Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner, will miss the opening match. Their absence has forced a rethink in team combination, especially in the all-rounder and spin departments.

Pathan has opted for experience at the top, picking Quinton de Kock to open alongside veteran batter Rohit Sharma, while leaving out Ryan Rickelton. He also suggested that the team management should not use Rohit as an impact player, stressing that his leadership and presence on the field remain crucial for the side.

In the middle order, Pathan has placed young left-hander Tilak Varma at number three, followed by India's T20 World Cup 2026-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav at number four. Captain Hardik Pandya is slotted at number five, giving the batting unit both stability and firepower.

With Jack's absence, Pathan has backed Sherfane Rutherford to take up the number six role. Naman Dhir has been picked as the finisher at number seven.

On the bowling front, Pathan has gone with a balanced attack. He has included young spinner Allah Ghazanfar along with leg-spinner Mayank Markande to handle spin duties. In the pace department, MI boasts a strong trio of Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and Jasprit Bumrah, which is expected to play a key role, especially in the Powerplay and death overs.

Interestingly, Pathan has left out all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who joined the franchise from Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, indicating a preference for specialist roles in his XI.

Pathan's MI playing XII: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Ghazanfar/Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah.

The Mumbai Indians had made a strong comeback last season, finishing among the top sides and securing a playoff spot. However, their campaign ended in Qualifier 2 after a defeat to the Punjab Kings. Having last won the IPL title in 2020, the five-time champions will be eager to bounce back and end their title drought in the 2026 season.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
Finally, someone said it! Rohit Sharma should NOT be used as an impact player. His captaincy on the field is half the battle won. His calmness under pressure is priceless. Good on Irfan for stressing that point. 💙
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Vikram M
The pace attack of Chahar, Boult, and Bumrah is just lethal! If they fire, no batting lineup is safe. But depending on a young spinner like Ghazanfar in the first match is a bit risky at Wankhede. Would have liked to see a more experienced option.
S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, this looks like a very balanced team. Suryakumar Yadav at 4 is perfect. The middle order with Pandya and Rutherford has serious power. KKR will have their work cut out. Should be a cracking opener!
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Priya S
Excited to see Tilak Varma at number 3! He's a future star. But I'm a little worried about the finishing. Naman Dhir is promising, but is he ready to be the main finisher at number 7 in such a big team? Time will tell.
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Michael C
Interesting analysis. The absence of Jacks and Santner is a big blow for the balance. Rutherford is a good backup, but he's not in the same form. MI's success might hinge on how quickly they adapt to these forced changes.

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