As the IPL retention deadline approaches, the Mumbai Indians (MI) are reportedly finalizing a trade to bring leg-spinner Mayank Markande back to their squad. The 28-year-old, who initially made his mark with MI back in 2018, is expected to return after a seven-year hiatus. Discussions with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are said to be at an advanced stage, and the announcement could come shortly. While there are no confirmations about the involvement of any additional players in this deal, it is believed that the transaction may be an all-cash agreement. Last year, KKR acquired Markande for ₹30 lakh but did not field him in any games during the season.
Currently, MI has two wrist-spinners on their roster: Vignesh Puthur, a chinaman bowler, and Karn Sharma. The addition of Markande would enhance their spin options significantly. Notably, Markande had an impressive debut season with MI, claiming 15 wickets in 14 matches, which contributed to his national team debut less than a year later. However, despite this early success, his career trajectory took a downturn, limiting him to just 23 matches over the subsequent five years across various teams.
In addition to Markande, the Mumbai Indians are also showing interest in signing former MI player Rahul Chahar. Chahar's situation with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has not been fruitful; he played only one match last season despite being bought for ₹3.20 crore. MI's rekindled interest in Chahar is understandable given his successful history with the franchise, although it remains uncertain whether substantial talks have occurred with SRH.
With the league’s dynamics constantly shifting, the Mumbai Indians are strategically positioning themselves to strengthen their bowling line-up ahead of IPL 2026. The potential return of Markande, along with the pursuit of Chahar, highlights MI’s commitment to rebuild and enhance their performance for the upcoming season. Fans are left wondering how impactful Markande’s return will be, contemplating his career's fluctuations and the opportunities that lie ahead in his second stint with MI.