Mumbai, April 25: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has released the retention list for the T20 Mumbai League 2026. Notable names on the list include Indian T20 team captain Suryakumar Yadav and senior players Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube.
The franchise has successfully retained several outstanding players, including Ayush Mhatre, captain of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and Sarfaraz Khan. Additionally, they have secured Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ajinkya Rahane as icon players, showcasing a strong core that reflects the league’s growing stature.
Each of the eight teams has retained three players. The Triumph Knights Mumbai North East have retained Suryakumar (icon player), along with Ayush and Suryansh Shedge. Last season’s runners-up, Sobha Mumbai Falcons, have retained Shreyas Iyer (icon player), Angkrish Raghuwanshi, and Harsh Aghav. Defending champions Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals have retained Tushar Deshpande (icon player), Siddhesh Lad, and Rohan Raj.
Bandra Blasters have chosen Yashasvi as their icon player, retaining Suved Parkar and Dhruvil Matkar. ARCS Andheri retained Shivam Dube (icon player) along with Pragnesh Kanpillewar and Deepak Shetty. Akash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs retained Sarfaraz Khan (icon player) with Shams Mulani and Jai Bista.
North Mumbai Panthers retained Ajinkya Rahane (icon player) along with Abhijnaan Kundu and Tanush Kotian. Eagle Thane Strikers retained Shardul Thakur (icon player) with Atharv Ankolekar and Sairaj Patil.
Many of the retained players have performed well in the Indian Premier League and at the international level. These players are expected to bring a balance of experience and youthful energy to their teams.
MCA President Ajinkya Naik stated, “This is a strong statement of intent from all franchises. Retaining some of the biggest names in Indian cricket demonstrates the strength and credibility that the T20 Mumbai League has built over the years. Moreover, the opportunity for young and emerging players to share the dressing room with such renowned stars is invaluable for their development as players. With such a high-quality core, we are set for a season that will elevate the competition and overall standards of cricket.”
Rajdeep Gupta, Chairman of the League Governing Council, remarked, “These retentions showcase the strategic clarity of franchises and the depth of talent present in Mumbai. The mix of established players and emerging talent will make this one of the most exciting seasons yet. The retention strategy clearly indicates the intention to maintain continuity while fostering a high-performance environment for teams.”
With the retention phase complete, the focus now shifts to the auction. Each franchise aims to build a strong core and create a team capable of winning the title in the blockbuster season of 2026. Dates and details for the auction will be announced soon.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
