The Indian Premier League 2026 season has been plagued by injuries, leading to mid-season replacements for struggling franchises like Mumbai Indians. Despite being led by captain Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians have only managed one win and are currently 9th on the table. Their bowling attack, including Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, has also failed to perform up to expectations.
To address their challenges, Mumbai Indians have replaced injured spinner Atharva Ankolekar with 21-year-old pacer Krish Bhagat. Bhagat, who hails from Punjab, impressed during trials with MI and has a promising record in domestic cricket. He has been signed at his base price of INR 30 Lakh for the remainder of the season.
Bhagat’s opportunity comes after Ankolekar’s injury, who had previously shown potential as a net bowler for MI. The IPL has historically provided a platform for young players to shine, and Bhagat will aim to make the most of this chance to prove himself in the main squad. It remains to be seen if Bhagat can make a significant impact and help Mumbai Indians improve their performance in the ongoing season.
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