Mumbai Indians WPL 2027 auction needs: Harmanpreet Kaur’s team targets top-order batter
Mumbai Indians look to strengthen their squad ahead of the WPL 2027 auction after missing the playoffs in 2026.
Mumbai Indians finished fourth in WPL 2026 with three wins from eight matches. The franchise retained its core but released Saika Ishaque, Triveni Vashistha and Poonam Khemnar, and signed Tara Norris from UP Warriorz.
Key takeaways
- Mumbai Indians finished fourth in WPL 2026 with three wins from eight matches.
- Head coach Lisa Keightley left and was replaced by Luke Williams.
- Saika Ishaque, Triveni Vashistha and Poonam Khemnar were released.
- Tara Norris joined from UP Warriorz through a trade.
- G. Kamalini will miss the WPL window for the Under-19 World Cup.
Mumbai Indians finished fourth in WPL 2026 after a defeat to Gujarat Giants in its final outing. The team recorded three wins from eight matches and ended two points behind third-placed Delhi Capitals, failing to qualify for the Playoffs for the first time in its history. Sportstar reported that the difficult campaign was beset by injuries and inconsistency.
Mumbai Indians won the inaugural WPL and the 2025 edition, both times defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. Harmanpreet Kaur captains the side. Lisa Keightley departed to take up a development role with Cricket Australia. Luke Williams, who guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to its maiden title in 2024, has replaced her as head coach.
The franchise has largely opted for continuity, retaining the bulk of its core. It released several fringe players who made little impact last season, including Saika Ishaque, Triveni Vashistha and Poonam Khemnar. MI brought in American seamer Tara Norris from UP Warriorz through a trade to complete its overseas contingent. Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt are expected to enter the tournament fully fit after injury issues.
G. Kamalini is expected to be unavailable as she will represent India at the Under-19 World Cup during the WPL window. Rahila Firdous is the only other recognised wicketkeeper in the squad. Sportstar said Kamalini’s absence leaves MI needing a new opening batter who can also keep wicket, with Matthews having missed several matches through injury last season and the team experimenting with several makeshift opening options with limited success.
Mumbai Indians will target a reliable top-order batter who can keep wicket at the WPL 2027 auction. The team will hope its retained core performs fully fit under new head coach Luke Williams.
Mumbai Indians WPL 2026 season summary
Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
Final position | Fourth |
Wins from eight matches | Three |
Gap behind third-placed Delhi Capitals | Two points |
Playoff qualification | Failed for the first time |
Related on Apex Sports News
Sources
Topics
- Women's Premier League
- Under-19 World Cup
- Delhi Capitals
- Mumbai Indians
- UP Warriorz
- Gujarat Giants
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Hayley Matthews
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Saika Ishaque
- Triveni Vashistha
- Poonam Khemnar
- Tara Norris
- G. Kamalini
- Rahila Firdous
- Lisa Keightley
- Luke Williams
- Women's Premier League
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Mumbai Indians
- WPL 2027 auction
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