Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 16 : Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra weighed in on the Mumbai Indians' (MI) reliance on ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and their selection dilemma with respect to their overseas stars, for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
Mumbai Indians enter the IPL 2026 under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, aiming to end their five-year trophy drought and become the most successful franchise in the league's history.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Aakash Chopra said that whenever Jasprit Bumrah plays for Mumbai Indians, pressure naturally comes with his role because he is the team's most impactful bowler. He explained that Bumrah's four overs--spread across the powerplay, middle overs, and death--are extremely valuable for MI.
Chopra added that even if bowlers like Trent Boult or Deepak Chahar perform well, the responsibility on Bumrah will remain the same. He also noted that if fully fit, Boult, Chahar, Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya are likely to be MI's main pace options, while South Africa's Corbin Bosch remains a backup overseas all-rounder.
Notably, Bumrah is the Mumbai Indians' second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 186 wickets to his name in 148 matches at an average of 22.12.
"If your name is Jasprit Bumrah, the pressure comes automatically. He is that kind of bowler. He creates an impact in every game, guarantees you a wicket, and restricts the opposition. That responsibility brings a lot of pressure because his four overs are the most precious thing for MI. Bowl one over in the powerplay, keep one for the middle phase and two at the death. That is Bumrah. That pressure is not going anywhere," Aakash Chopra said.
"Whether Boult bowls well or Deepak Chahar is fully fit, Bumrah's pressure stays with him. But if Boult is fit, MI will want to continue with him. Fit, available, in form. They will want the new ball to move around a little with Boult and Deepak Chahar. Shardul Thakur is a capable replacement for Chahar, but it does not necessarily mean that he plays ahead of him. A fit Deepak Chahar, a fit Trent Boult, Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya will be MI's four starting pacers. Corbin Bosch is waiting in the wings. He is a very good all-rounder. But again, you cannot play all overseas players," he added.
Aakash Chopra said the Mumbai Indians are likely to continue with Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock as openers because of their successful left-right combination. He added that the bigger challenge will be fitting England all-rounder Will Jacks into the lineup, especially with Sherfane Rutherford also competing for a spot as a lower-order batter who can bowl.
Chopra noted that MI will also need to include at least two overseas bowlers, with Trent Boult certain to play and one among Mitchell Santner or Allah Ghazanfar likely to join him, while Corbin Bosch remains another option. He concluded that MI have a "problem of plenty," giving them several strong combinations to choose from.
"MI love their left and right-hand combination as openers. I am sure we will see Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock opening the innings. This pair helped them lift the trophy in 2019 and 2020. Then the bigger challenge is fitting Will Jacks in the line-up. Does he fit into the scheme of things? Because there is also Sherfane Rutherford. You want to play Rutherford because he bats lower down the order and gives an extra bowling option. But who says Will Jacks cannot do that job? He did it throughout the T20 World Cup for England. So that is a problem of plenty, but a good one to have," the former Indian cricketer said.
"The other part is that they need to feature at least two overseas bowlers. Trent Boult will play. Then one between Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar must play. Plus there is Corbin Bosch as well. It is going to be a tough ask. But this is a problem of riches that most teams desire. MI has it. Now it is up to them to solve this riddle," Aakash Chopra added.
Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2026 season:
Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ryan Rickleton, Robin Minz, Raj Bawa, Raghu Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Naman Dhir, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Allah Ghafanzar, Ashwani Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Mayank Markande, Shardul Thakur, Quinton de Kock, Danish Malewar, Mohammad Izhar, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat.