MI Head Coach Mahela Jayawardene praises IPL 2026 auction

Mumbai Indians Head Coach Mahela Jayawardene expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the IPL 2026 Auction, highlighting how the franchise has successfully strengthened its core while adding strategic depth across departments through trade ins.

“With a blend of returning familiar faces, impactful new additions, and promising talent, the auction has allowed MI to reinforce their trademark balance, adaptability and long-term squad planning,” he said.

Reflecting on the franchise’s broader thinking, Jayawardene



emphasised the importance of structure and clarity behind every move.

“We’re very pleased with the balance we’ve been able to build after the auction. Shardul (Thakur) gives us a different structure with his versatility, experience and all-round depth. Him being a Mumbai boy. 

It’s a great story from where he started and then became part of Mumbai Indians. Sherfane (Rutherford) is someone we’ve rated highly for a long time, and adding an overseas left-handed power-hitter gives us the flexibility we always look for.