The Mumbai Cricket Association has announced the retained players list for T20 Mumbai League 2026. This is an important step before the auction, as teams have locked in their core players for the upcoming season.
Key highlights from retention
Each of the eight teams has retained three players. This helps teams keep a strong base while also allowing them to add new talent in the auction.
One major highlight is the inclusion of Ayush Mhatre, who led India to the Under-19 World Cup 2026 title. His presence shows that the league is giving chances to young and talented players along with experienced stars.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik said that retaining top players shows the growing strength and credibility of the league. It also gives young players a chance to learn from senior cricketers.
Retained players list by team
| Team | Icon Player | Other Retained Players |
|---|---|---|
| Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs | Sarfaraz Khan | Shams Mulani, Jay Bista |
| ARCS Andheri | Shivam Dube | Pragnesh Kanpillewar, Deepak Shetty |
| Bandra Blasters | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Suved Parkar, Dhrumil Matkar |
| Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals | Tushar Deshpande | Siddhesh Lad, Rohan Raje |
| North Mumbai Panthers | Ajinkya Rahane | Abhigyan Kundu, Tanush Kotian |
| SoBo Mumbai Falcons | Shreyas Iyer | Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Harsh Aghav |
| Eagle Thane Strikers | Shardul Thakur | Atharva Ankolekar, Sairaj Patil |
| Triumph Knights Mumbai North East | Suryakumar Yadav | Ayush Mhatre, (one more player to be confirmed) |
Also See : Punjab Kings Playing XI vs Delhi Capitals: Will Cooper Connolly Play?
What this means for the tournament
The retention list includes many top Indian players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, who will lead their teams as icon players. This gives fans an early idea of which teams look strong before the auction.
Teams will now focus on the auction to complete their squads. They will look to build a balanced team with both experienced players and young talent.
Focus on young players
The inclusion of players like Ayush Mhatre shows the league’s aim to develop future stars. Young players will get a chance to play with and learn from senior cricketers.
This mix of youth and experience will make the tournament more competitive and exciting.
With the retention phase completed, all teams will now prepare for the auction. This will decide the final squad combinations and team strength.
Fans can expect an exciting season as teams build strong lineups and compete for the title in T20 Mumbai League 2026.
