- Nita M Ambani says strategy was “Trust in Our Champions”
- Harmanpreet: “We got our core back — that shows faith & family”
- Fans celebrate MI’s bold auction as a blueprint for Title No. 3
NE SPORTS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 28
Two-time WPL champions Mumbai Indians left the 2026 mega auction with renewed firepower, restored chemistry, and a clear declaration of intent — they want their third title, and they want it now. Thanks to precise planning and unwavering trust in their core group, MI successfully brought back most of their 2025 title-winning heroes.
Team owner Nita M Ambani, thrilled with the outcome, shared her vision behind the auction strategy: “Auction days are exciting but also unnerving. Our strategy was to win back as many players as possible from our winning team of 2025. I’m very excited to get Amelia Kerr back and our four Ss — Shabnim, Saika, Sajana and Sanskriti.”
Welcoming new faces with equal warmth, she added, “We are very excited to welcome Rahila Firdous, Nalla Kranthi Reddy, Triveni Vasistha, Poonam Khemnar, Milly Illingworth and Nicola Carey into the Mumbai Indians family.”
MI’s auction table was strengthened by the presence of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who played an active role in shaping the squad. Reflecting on the day, she said: “Initially I was nervous, but I loved how we planned everything. Nita Ma’am’s involvement has always been our biggest support. Getting most of our old teammates back shows the trust and confidence we have in them.”
A Strong Core, a Familiar Family
With retained stars Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur and G Kamalini, Mumbai then regained some of their biggest match-winners — including Amelia Kerr, the reigning T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, along with Saika Ishaque, S Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, and veteran pace queen Shabnim Ismail.
These five have been instrumental in MI’s dominance, with Saika, Sajana, and Sanskriti rising as breakthrough talents after being scouted and nurtured by the franchise.
Global Firepower Meets Indian Promise
Alongside the home-grown core, MI added global pedigree with Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey, a multiple World Cup winner, and the young pace sensation Milly Illingworth.
Strengthening their commitment to grooming Indian talent, MI secured first-time WPL entrants Nalla Kranthi Reddy and Triveni Vasistha, while seasoned domestic performers Rahila Firdous and Poonam Khemnar bring both reliability and leadership depth.
FANS LIGHT UP SOCIAL MEDIA
As the squad list dropped, MI supporters erupted online with excitement:
- “MI didn’t just build a team, they rebuilt their family!” wrote one X (Twitter) user.
- Another fan posted, “Amelia Kerr + Harmanpreet + Nat Sciver-Brunt = WPL nightmare for every other team.”
- A popular cricket handle shared, “Mumbai Indians know how to win auctions like they win finals — calm, calculated, clinical.”
The phrase “Four Ss are back!” also trended widely, celebrating Saika, Sajana, Shabnim, and Sanskriti.
With a balanced mix of superstars, rising talents, and trusted winners, Mumbai Indians have crafted a squad that looks fearless, cohesive, and championship-ready.
For MI fans, the message from the auction is loud and clear —
2026 isn’t just another season. It’s a mission for glory.
