In a crucial event ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians have kicked off their preparations by inviting Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi for a trial at their Mumbai training facility. MI has been very busy throughout the pre-season window, completing many transactions and forming the majority of their roster well before the auction.
The 29-year-old has yet to play in the IPL, but the coming season might be his debut. His excellent domestic form has elevated him to the top of the circuit’s discussion list. The right-arm pacer has 29 wickets in nine innings of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, including three five-wicket hauls. His ability to contribute with the bat increases his importance, as he has 146 runs in seven innings, including a critical half-century.
In recent years, Jammu and Kashmir has produced a lot of cricket talent, including Rasikh Salam, Abdul Samad, Yudhvir Singh, and Umran Malik. Nabi’s remarkable efforts have been essential in J&K’s excellent season so far, with the side now second on the points table behind Mumbai with 20 points in five matches and only one defeat.
With Mumbai Indians left with an INR 2.75 crore budget, Nabi emerges as a strategic alternative for bolstering the bowling department without exceeding it.
Trials prior to the auction are nothing new in the IPL ecosystem; the Chennai Super Kings welcomed Ayush Mhatre for trials last season before signing him mid-tournament as an injured substitute for Ruturaj Gaikwad.
MI’s pre-season activity has also featured major trades: Mayank Markande from the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 30 lakh, Sherfane Rutherford from the Gujarat Titans for INR 2.6 crore, and Shardul Thakur from the Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2 crore. These decisions have helped build their core, and with judicious investing in the forthcoming auction, they hope to add impactful players like Nabi to complete a well-balanced group for the IPL 2026.
India
