IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Sign Krish Bhagat to Replace Injured Atharva Ankolekar

Mumbai Indians have suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming IPL 2026 fixture against Punjab Kings. The franchise's young spin all-rounder, Atharva Ankolekar, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to an injury. Ahead of the crucial match scheduled for April 16, Mumbai Indians have named 21-year-old Punjab all-rounder Krish Bhagat as his replacement. Bhagat has been inducted into the squad at his base price of ₹30 lakh.

Official IPL Press Release and Krish Bhagat's Profile

The replacement was confirmed through an official press release issued by the IPL. The statement noted that Mumbai Indians have signed Krish Bhagat to replace Atharva Ankolekar, who is sidelined from IPL 2026 following an injury. The 21-year-old Bhagat represents Punjab in domestic cricket and brings a versatile skillset to the team. He has featured in 7 First Class matches and 9 List A matches for Punjab. A right-arm medium-fast bowler, Bhagat is also capable with the bat, having already recorded a half-century in List A cricket. He's expected to contribute effectively in both departments.

Krish Bhagat's Association with Mumbai Indians

Krish Bhagat is a familiar face within the Mumbai Indians setup. He has been part of the franchise's trials for the past two years and played for the Reliance team in the DY Patil T20 Cup in 2026. Plus, he has been serving as a support bowler (net bowler) for the squad since the beginning of the current season. His consistent performance and familiarity with the team environment led to his official inclusion in the main squad following Ankolekar's injury.

Atharva Ankolekar's Career Highlights

The departing Atharva Ankolekar is a noted talent who was part of India's 2020 Under-19 World Cup squad. He gained prominence after winning the Player of the Match award in the Under-19 Asia Cup final against Bangladesh. His absence leaves a void in the spin-bowling all-rounder department for Mumbai Indians as they navigate a challenging phase in the tournament.

Mumbai Indians' Performance in IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians' campaign in IPL 2026 began on a positive note with a victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, the team struggled to maintain momentum, suffering three consecutive defeats against Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengeers Bengaluru (RCB). These losses have left Mumbai Indians in the ninth position on the points table. The team will be looking to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming clash against Punjab Kings on April 16.