Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has outlined the IPL 2026 auction plans for several franchises, including Mumbai Indians (MI), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Gujarat Titans (GT).
### Mumbai Indians: Retain All Players
Aakash Chopra believes that the five-time champions Mumbai Indians should not release any players ahead of the mini auction. While there was speculation about releasing Deepak Chahar, Chopra argued that MI would unlikely find better Indian pace options in the upcoming auction.
He also mentioned that MI could consider Mohammad Shami if Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) release him. However, Chopra is not convinced that Shami would be an upgrade over Chahar. “I don’t think MI should release anyone. They will not get good Indian pace options in the mini auction anyway. Maybe they get Shami, but is Shami an upgrade for Deepak Chahar? There is no use in releasing anyone for them. They might be the most inactive franchise in the auction this time,” he said on the ‘2 Sloggers’ YouTube channel.
In IPL 2025, Deepak Chahar played 14 matches and took 11 wickets. Given Shami’s age of 35, Chopra believes it would make little sense for MI to release a young pacer like Chahar.
### Punjab Kings: Retain Stoinis, Strengthen Bowling
Regarding Punjab Kings, who reached the IPL 2025 final but lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chopra advised against releasing all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. He urged the franchise to make better use of Stoinis’ skills, stating, “PBKS should not release Stoinis. They can make better use of him. He is a good player. I don’t think you will get a replacement for him. It does not make sense to release Stoinis.”
However, Chopra stressed that Punjab needs to strengthen their bowling attack, highlighting an over-dependence on spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Harpreet Brar (referred to colloquially as Chahal and Arshdeep). He also suggested retaining pace bowlers like Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Maxwell. “They figured out somehow last year but they do have to strengthen the bowling. They should not leave Lockie Ferguson or Maxwell also,” he added.
### Gujarat Titans: Possible Release of Rabada
Chopra also weighed in on Gujarat Titans’ plans for the IPL 2026 auction. He suggested that South African pacer Kagiso Rabada might be the only player they consider releasing due to his high price tag of ₹10.75 crore. Nevertheless, he expressed doubts about the franchise letting go of the experienced pacer.
The former India batter also touched on the uncertain fate of New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips. Phillips didn’t get opportunities last season for both Sunrisers Hyderabad and GT, before being ruled out with an injury sustained while fielding as a substitute. “He is very good that they will not release him but not good enough to play him,” Chopra said.
### Summary
– **Mumbai Indians:** Should retain all players, especially Deepak Chahar; unlikely to find better Indian pace options in the auction.
– **Punjab Kings:** Retain Marcus Stoinis and bowlers like Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Maxwell; focus on strengthening bowling attack.
– **Gujarat Titans:** Possible release of Kagiso Rabada due to cost; Glenn Phillips likely to be retained but remains on the fringes.
Gujarat Titans qualified for the playoffs last season but lost the Eliminator to Mumbai Indians. They have won the IPL title once, in 2022.
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