Punjab all-rounder Krish Bhagat has been signed as a last-minute replacement by the Mumbai Indians after left-arm orthodox spinner Atharva Ankolekar couldn’t recover on time due to a knee injury. Bhagat will now be seen in the Mumbai Indians jersey after the all-rounder was bought for a sum of INR 30 lakhs. Ankolekar injured his knee during a Ranji Trophy game this year.

Bhagat played for the Reliance team in the DY Patil T20 Cup this year and served as MI's support bowler during the IPL 2026 pre-season. The 21-year-old had undergone trials with the Mumbai Indians for two years.

Bhagat has played 7 first-class games, claiming 7 wickets with best bowling figures of 4/52, scoring 145 runs. The all-rounder has claimed 9 wickets in 9 List A games with best bowling figures of 3/33, scoring 266 runs with a highest score of 51.

MI team management and franchise stated that Krish is known for his work ethic and works very hard at the practice games and sessions. His overall committed resolve in domestic as well as for the Mumbai Indians in the practice sessions has helped him get this chance to break into the MI squad.

MI are currently at the 9th position in the points table with 2 points, and just 1 win from 4 matches so far in the 19th edition. Krish Bhagat’s inclusion will provide backup options in the pace department, and the MI team management can also think of using him as a surprise feature.

Pacer Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t claimed a wicket so far in the ongoing season, which is quite disappointing. The 32-year-old is the core of the Mumbai Indians bowling line-up and needs to be among wickets quickly.

Apart from him, Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Ashwani Kumar, etc., are the other pace bowlers in the MI squad.  The team needs its bowlers to produce the goods to make a strong comeback.