Harbhajan Singh picks overseas players for Mumbai Indians: Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will begin from March 28 as the 10 teams prepare for the big event for two months. Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will play their first match of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This is going to be an exciting match to watch.
Ahead of the IPL, former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harbhajan Singh has given his comments on the probable Mumbai Indians XI for the upcoming season. Speaking on JioHostar, the former captain predicted four overseas players who can play for the five-time IPL champions. He believes that the franchise will have some trouble in selecting four players.
Harbhajan Singh selected four foreign players for Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have retained Trent Boult, Will Jacques, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Ryan Rickelton and Allah Ghazanfar in their overseas slots. They bought Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans as a trade, and in the auction, they only bought Quinton de Kock. Bhajji predicted that South African wicketkeepers will play alongside Trent Boult and Allah Ghazanfar.
However, MI will have to make a tough decision in choosing the final overseas player between Will Jacques and Sherfane Rutherford. Both cricketers are in great form; However, the former bowler may miss out due to his bowling skills and excellent form during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Another player, it could be Rutherford or Will Jacks-Harbhajan Singh
“For starters, Quinton de Kock or Ryan Rickelton will play in the XI and start. Then we will move to the bowlers. Trent Boult, obviously, will be the other player who will play. Allah Ghazanfar is someone who will definitely be in that team,” the former MI spinner said.
He said, “Another player, it could be Rutherford or Will Jacks. If I were part of the management, I would be very keen to play Rutherford, and it definitely depends on the surface. If we are playing in Chennai, I would like to play Will Jacks there because he can bowl some overs for you as well.”
Hardik needs to come like Hardik Pandya-Harbhajan Singh
Mumbai Indians qualified for the playoffs in the 2025 season. However they lost to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2. Hardik Pandya is expected to lead the team in the upcoming season. Since joining he has failed to qualify for the finals of the tournament. In 2024 they remained at the bottom of the table.
Bhajji further said, “Hardik needs to come like Hardik Pandya. He needs to bring his A game not just as a batsman but as a bowler. We recently saw him bowling in the World Cup. I think he was brilliant with the ball. That’s what he needs to do.”
“When a captain leads from the front, shows the team the way forward, then everyone follows him. That will lead to a lack of confidence. If they start believing from day one that they are not just there to compete, but to win, then I think things can change very quickly for them.”
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