Mumbai Indians (MI) have added Krish Bhagat to their IPL 2026 roster, bringing in the 21-year-old Punjab seamer as cover for the injured Atharva Ankolekar. The fast bowler joins MI at his base price of INR 30 lakh.
Ankolekar, 25, was unable to return in time following the knee injury he sustained during the Ranji Trophy season earlier this year.
Bhagat has spent the last two years trialling with Mumbai Indians. He also turned out for the Reliance team in the DY Patil T20 Cup in 2026, and has been part of MI’s support-bowling group since the run-up to IPL 2026.
On the domestic circuit, Bhagat has featured in seven first-class matches and nine List-A games for Punjab. In List-A cricket, he has taken nine wickets, with best figures of 3 for 33 recorded in December 2025. He has also contributed with the bat, scoring 51 from No. 8 in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Uttarakhand.
In its announcement, MI highlighted that Bhagat was chosen for the “work ethic” he displays at every training session.
MI’s statement said, “Krish has consistently stood out to the coaching staff through his dedication, work ethic, and the standard he brings to each session and practice match during his time with Mumbai Indians. His commitment and growth over the years—both in domestic cricket and across MI practice sessions this season—have deservedly earned him this opportunity to move into the main playing group.”
Heading into the next phase of IPL 2026, MI sit ninth in the points table, having won once and lost three matches. Their bowling has been under scrutiny so far, with Jasprit Bumrah unable to find a wicket and the rest of the attack struggling to make regular breakthroughs. Other seam options in the MI squad include captain Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult, Raj Bawa, Deepak Chahar, Corbin Bosch, Ashwani Kumar and Mohd Izhar.
