Suresh Raina urges Mumbai Indians to release star player ahead of IPL 2026

Former Indian star Suresh Raina suggests that Mumbai Indians should let go of all-rounder Will Jacks to free up budget ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, while retaining key veterans.

Suresh Raina (Image Credit: IPL)

As teams gear up for the IPL 2026 mega auction, former Indian star Suresh Raina has sparked discussion with his bold recommendation for Mumbai Indians (MI). The five-time IPL champions are expected to make tough calls on player retentions, and Raina believes one of those should be releasing England all-rounder Will Jacks. Despite arriving with plenty of promise and international experience, Jacks’ time with Mumbai hasn’t been as impactful as expected. Raina feels that MI, known for their smart auction strategies, would benefit by freeing up funds and looking for players who better suit their structure.

Suresh Raina’s take on Mumbai Indians’ strategy

Former CSK cricketer Suresj Raina pointed out that while Jacks is a talented T20 cricketer, his performances in the 2025 season didn’t match the franchise’s expectations. He produced a few brisk cameos with the bat and chipped in occasionally with the ball, but lacked consistency across the tournament. For a team like MI, built around match-winners such as Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav, consistency and adaptability are non-negotiable traits. According to Raina, retaining Jacks could prove costly when the team needs to maintain balance across departments.

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He further added that letting Jacks go could allow Mumbai to strengthen areas like death bowling or invest in promising Indian all-rounders. The upcoming auction is expected to be highly competitive, and teams with greater financial flexibility could gain an early edge. Raina, who himself was part of several successful IPL campaigns, believes MI must focus on form and fit rather than reputation or potential.

Also check: CSK - Retention Review

Raina also highlighted that MI’s batting order has evolved with young names like Tilak Varma showing immense potential. The addition of another overseas top-order batter like Jacks has often led to role confusion within the lineup. Given Mumbai’s tactical style and reliance on defined roles, streamlining the squad could be the key to long-term success.

"They should hold him (Rohit Sharma), he has won a lot of trophies for them. Deepak Chahar is just in, it depends on what options they have, so they can either release him or retain him, but they might not get players at the auction, so I think they should retain him. They should retain him (Trent Boult), he is a gun player, the advantage that he has as a left-arm bowler, they should retain him," Raina said on Star Sports.

Where to watch the India vs South Africa online?

Cricket fans in India can watch the India vs South Africa series online on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

Also read: Anjum Chopra hails rising stars players as most impressive in Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph

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