A big selection headache is already building inside the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) season. The franchise has plenty of strong batting options, and that could make it difficult for the team management to fit everyone into the playing XI.
Mumbai Indians will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ahead of the tournament, former Mumbai Indians and India spinner Harbhajan Singh has made a bold statement.
Harbhajan Singh makes bold call on Mumbai Indians’ overseas openers
Harbhajan Singh feels the Mumbai Indians might have to choose between two overseas wicketkeeper-batters — Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. Even though both are quality players, he feels playing them together may not be easy because the team already has several talented Indian batters.
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Rohit Sharma is the confirmed opener, while players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma are key parts of the middle order. With so many strong Indian names in the lineup, MI may only have space for one overseas opener, which means either De Kock or Rickelton could make it to the playing XI.
Don’t think we will see Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton playing together: Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports: “I don’t think they will start with both of them together. I think it will be either Ryan Rickelton playing or De Kock playing. Either of these two guys will feature in the XI. Playing these two guys in the top order will be difficult because Mumbai have a lot of local players like Rohit Sharma.”
The commentator further added, “He (Rohit) will have to open, of course, with either Ryan Rickelton or De Kock, and then Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and many other good players are there. So I don’t think we will see them playing together.”
Both players bring different strengths to the table. Rickelton impressed last season with an aggressive approach at the top, amassing 388 runs at a strike rate of over 150. On the other hand, De Kock is an experienced IPL campaigner who has already played many match-winning knocks. This makes the decision even tougher for the team management.
Spin department presents tough challenge to Mumbai Indians
There is also an interesting situation in the spin department. The five-time IPL champions will have to pick one between Afghanistan’s young spinner Allah Ghazanfar and New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner.
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Harbhajan feels Ghazanfar is expected to get more opportunities because of his unique variations. However, the former spinner has not ruled out chances for Santner.
Harbhajan Singh backs Allah Ghazanfar over Mitchell Santner
Harbhajan explained his point, “As far as I know and what my knowledge says, I think we will get to see Ghazanfar playing most of the games rather than Santner because Ghazanfar brings a lot of variations to the table. He is someone people haven’t seen much. They have not played against him. That’s what will give him that edge.”
He signed off by saying, “I think Santner will play in a few games here and there, probably in Chennai or those surfaces where it spins, but I think Ghazanfar will continue to play on all kinds of surfaces and every game.”