AM Ghazanfar Retained by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2026: Young Afghanistan off-spinner AM Ghazanfar continues his rapid rise in world cricket after being retained by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2026. At just 19 years of age, Ghazanfar is now part of one of the strongest IPL franchises, known for grooming young talent into match-winners.
Mumbai Indians have shown strong trust in his potential, especially his calm mindset, control with off-spin, and ability to bowl in pressure situations.
IPL 2026 Price & Team Details
IPL 2026 Contract Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IPL Team (2026) | Mumbai Indians |
| IPL Status | Retained Player |
| IPL 2026 Price | Not officially disclosed |
| Role | Bowler |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Off Spin |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Age (2026) | 19 years |
MI’s decision to retain Ghazanfar highlights their long-term planning, especially for spin-friendly conditions and middle-over control.
Who Is AM Ghazanfar?
AM Ghazanfar is an Afghanistan international cricketer who bowls right-arm off-spin. Born on 20 March 2006, he first gained attention as a teenage prodigy and later became known as the youngest player to enter an IPL auction.
He began his journey playing tennis-ball cricket and later transitioned into professional cricket, gradually shaping himself into a disciplined spinner who relies on accuracy rather than excessive turn.
Read Also: Who is the Owner of Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2026?
International Career Overview
Despite his young age, Ghazanfar has already represented Afghanistan in all three formats.
Career Summary (International)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1 | 4 | 40.25 | 4.43 | 3/127 |
| ODI | 14 | 23 | 16.78 | 4.23 | 6/26 |
| T20I | 5 | 2 | 48.00 | 6.00 | 1/9 |
His ODI numbers clearly stand out, especially his six-wicket haul, which announced him as a serious white-ball prospect.
AM Ghazanfar T20I Bowling Performance – Deep Breakdown
Overall T20I Bowling Stats
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 16.0 | 2 | 48.00 | 6.00 | 48.0 |
While his T20I numbers are still developing, they reflect learning years rather than limitations.
Performance by Opponent
| Opponent | Matches | Wickets | Best | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 1 | 0 | – | 10.66 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | 0 | – | 2.00 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1/27 | 7.28 |
| Qatar | 1 | 1 | 1/9 | 2.25 |
His best T20I spell came against Qatar, where he bowled with tight control and confidence.
Venue & Conditions Analysis (T20Is)
| Condition | Matches | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| In UAE | 4 | 1 | 7.25 |
| In Qatar | 1 | 1 | 2.25 |
| Asia (Overall) | 5 | 2 | 6.00 |
Ghazanfar has shown better results on slower tracks, which aligns well with typical IPL pitches.
Batting Ability – A Useful Lower-Order Option
Though primarily a bowler, Ghazanfar can contribute small but useful runs.
Batting Career Summary
| Format | Runs | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 6 | 6 | 150.00 |
| ODI | 59 | 31 | 109.26 |
| T20I | 7 | 7 | 77.78 |
ICC Rankings & Recognition
- ICC ODI Bowling Rank: 81
- Known for discipline, flight control, and tactical bowling
- Considered one of Afghanistan’s brightest spin prospects
What AM Ghazanfar Brings to Mumbai Indians
Why MI Retained Him
- Young age with high growth ceiling
- Proven ODI wicket-taker
- Effective on slow and turning tracks
- Calm temperament under pressure
- Long-term spin investment for MI
Mumbai Indians have a history of developing young bowlers, and Ghazanfar fits perfectly into that philosophy.
See Also: Mumbai Indians (MI) Most Successful Run-Chases in IPL History
IPL 2026 Outlook
AM Ghazanfar may not start every match in IPL 2026, but his retention signals long-term confidence. With exposure to senior players, international coaching, and high-pressure IPL games, he is expected to improve rapidly.
If given opportunities, he could emerge as a middle-overs control bowler, especially on spin-friendly surfaces.
Conclusion
AM Ghazanfar’s journey from a teenage prodigy to an IPL 2026 retained player for Mumbai Indians reflects his growing stature in international cricket. With strong ODI numbers, improving T20 skills, and backing from one of the IPL’s biggest teams, the future looks bright for this young Afghan spinner.
