
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced that five-time champions Mumbai Indians will play four matches in the first phase of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Mumbai will host two home matches and one afternoon match.
Mumbai will begin their campaign against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29, followed by Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 4 and then Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on April 7. The Hardik Pandya-led team will then return home to host Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium on April 12.
Mumbai, which made the playoffs last season, retained its core unit ahead of the IPL auction last December. They went to the auction to fill five slots and bid for just 10 players, including Cameron Green. In total, they bought only four players at their original price, including Quinton de Kock and left-arm spin all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar.
The team management believes that a strong core group will help them start the season with confidence. Fans will expect the experienced players and the new players to work together and give the team a strong start in the opening matches. Mumbai will also look to build momentum early as they are competing for the second playoff spot in the tournament.
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Stadium | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 2 | Mar 29 (Sun) | 7:30 PM | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | MI vs KKR |
| Match 8 | Apr 4 (Sat) | 3:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | DC vs MI |
| Match 13 | Apr 7 (Tue) | 7:30 PM | ACA Stadium, Guwahati | RR vs MI |
| Match 20 | Apr 12 (Sun) | 7:30 PM | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | MI vs RCB |
Next Read: Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2026 Full Schedule: Owners, Fixtures, Dates, Timings, Venues
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Batter |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Batter |
| Robin Minz | WK-Batter |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Batter |
| Ryan Rickelton | WK-Batter |
| Quinton de Kock | WK-Batter |
| Danish Malewar | Batter |
| N. Tilak Varma | Batter |
| Hardik Pandya | All-Rounder |
| Naman Dhir | All-Rounder |
| Mitchell Santner | All-Rounder |
| Raj Angad Bawa | All-Rounder |
| Atharva Ankolekar | All-Rounder |
| Mayank Rawat | All-Rounder |
| Corbin Bosch | All-Rounder |
| Will Jacks | All-Rounder |
| Shardul Thakur | All-Rounder |
| Trent Boult | Bowler |
| Mayank Markande | Bowler |
| Deepak Chahar | Bowler |
| Ashwani Kumar | Bowler |
| Raghu Sharma | Bowler |
| Mohammad Izhar | Bowler |
| Allah Ghazanfar | Bowler |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
Mumbai Indians (MI) are entering the IPL 2026 season looking to win a record-breaking sixth title, aiming to break the championship drought since 2020. Led by captain Hardik Pandya and head coach Mahela Jayawardene, the team has retained its core superstar lineup and strengthened its squad through strategic deals and auction purchases.
First match: March 29 vs KKR in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai was a highly anticipated opener.
Hardik Pandya leads the team, with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav showing experience and firepower.
Mumbai Indians will start the IPL 2026 season with a strong and balanced team led by Hardik Pandya. With a mix of experienced and new players, the team will aim to build momentum early in the tournament. Fans will be hoping that the five-time champions continue their consistent performances and win another IPL title.
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Also Read: Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026: Full Schedule, Squads, Match Dates & Venues
Hardik Pandya is a Caption of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026
The team is owned by Reliance Industries through its subsidiary Indiawin Sports, with Nita Ambani playing a key role in managing the franchise.
They play their home matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
In a standard IPL season, each team plays 14 league matches before the playoffs.
Their first match of the season will be played against Kolkata Knight Riders on 29 March 2026.
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