IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Sign Krish Bhagat as Ankolekar's Replacement
Synopsis
In a significant move, Mumbai Indians have enlisted Krish Bhagat to replace the injured Atharva Ankolekar for IPL 2026. This decision comes as MI seeks to regain momentum after a challenging start to the season.
Key Takeaways
Krish Bhagat signed as a replacement for injured Atharva Ankolekar .
MI's recent performance has been struggling post their initial win.
Rohit Sharma's injury adds to the team's challenges.
MI aims to reclaim their form against Punjab Kings.
The team has not won a title since IPL 2020.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) The five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), have officially appointed Krish Bhagat as a substitute for the spin all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar, who has been sidelined from IPL 2026 due to an injury.
The 21-year-old right-arm medium pacer has an impressive record, having competed in seven first-class matches and nine List A games for Punjab, joining the team at a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
As per the IPL's announcement, "Mumbai Indians (MI) have secured Krish Bhagat as a replacement for Atharva Ankolekar, who is out of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to injury. Bhagat, aged 21, is a right-arm medium pacer and has also made a notable contribution by scoring a half-century in List A cricket."
Krish adds flexibility to the bowling lineup as a right-arm fast bowler and can also support the batting order as a lower-order batsman. He has been part of the Mumbai Indians' trials for the past two years and played for the Reliance Team in the DY Patil T20 Cup in 2026, serving as a support bowler during the pre-season.
Atharva Ankolekar was a member of India’s U19 World Cup squad in 2020 and was the Player of the Match during the final of the ACC U19 Asia Cup against Bangladesh in 2019.
MI began their IPL 2026 campaign with a victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, they struggled to maintain that momentum, suffering losses in their subsequent three matches against Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This early setback has placed them under pressure to regain their form, as the initial win now feels overshadowed by their current performance.
Adding to the intrigue, Rohit Sharma sustained a hamstring injury during MI's match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Next, MI will take on the IPL 2026 runners-up, Punjab Kings (PBKS), at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium, on Thursday.
Despite being five-time champions, MI has not lifted a trophy since IPL 2020, having been eliminated from the second qualifiers in the last season after a five-wicket defeat to the Punjab Kings.
Point of View
The replacement of Atharva Ankolekar with Krish Bhagat by Mumbai Indians highlights a proactive approach to address injury setbacks, underscoring the team's commitment to maintaining competitiveness in IPL 2026. The situation also reflects broader challenges faced by teams in managing their rosters amidst injuries.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Krish Bhagat?
Krish Bhagat is a 21-year-old right-arm medium pacer who has played seven first-class matches and nine List A matches for Punjab.
Why was Atharva Ankolekar replaced?
Atharva Ankolekar was ruled out of IPL 2026 due to injury.
What is Krish Bhagat's experience in cricket?
Bhagat has experience in first-class and List A cricket and has also scored a half-century in List A matches.
What challenges are Mumbai Indians facing this season?
Mumbai Indians started the season with a victory but lost their next three matches, putting them under pressure to regain their form.
When is MI's next match?
Mumbai Indians will face the Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
