T20 Mumbai League Season 4: Major Franchises Announce Key Player Retentions
The stage is set for an exciting fourth season of the T20 Mumbai League as franchises have unveiled their player retention lists ahead of the upcoming auction. Each of the eight participating teams was permitted to retain three players, leading to strategic decisions that will shape the tournament's competitive landscape.
Triumph Knights Mumbai North East Secure Star Power
Under the coaching guidance of Atul Ranade, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East have made significant moves by retaining two of India's premier cricketing talents. India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav remains with the franchise, bringing his explosive batting and leadership to the squad. They have also kept opening batter Ayush Mhatre, who captains the Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings teams. Mhatre, who led the India U-19 team to a title victory last year, missed the previous T20 Mumbai League season due to commitments with the national Under-19 camp ahead of the England tour.
Additionally, the Knights have retained allrounder Suryansh Shedge, currently featuring in the Punjab Kings squad for IPL-2026, adding depth to their roster.
Sobo Mumbai Falcons and Other Franchise Strategies
Sobo Mumbai Falcons have secured the services of Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, a move expected to bolster their batting lineup. Alongside Iyer, they have retained Kolkata Knight Riders opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harsh Aghav, forming a strong core for the upcoming season.
Andheri Arcs have focused on retaining match-winners, keeping allrounder Shivam Dube, celebrated as India's hero in the last two T20 World Cups. They have also retained Pragesh Kanpillewar and seamer Deepak Shetty, ensuring a balanced team composition.
Defending Champions Make Calculated Moves
Defending champions Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals have made a notable decision by releasing pacer Tushar Deshpande, who has played two T20Is for India and is currently representing Rajasthan Royals in IPL-2026. Instead, they have retained captain and veteran batsman Siddhesh Lad, under whose leadership they clinched the title last season, along with pacers Rohan Raje and Irfan Umair.
Additional Franchise Retentions Highlight Emerging Talent
Other teams have also announced their retained players, showcasing a mix of experience and youth:
- Aakash Tigers have retained CSK batter Sarfaraz Khan, left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, and opener Jay Bista.
- Thane Eagles Strikers have kept skipper Shardul Thakur, Atharva Ankolekar, and Sairaj Patil.
- North Mumbai Panthers have retained India Under-19 World Cup-winning wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu and off-spinning allrounder Tanush Kotian.
Key Dates for Season 4
The auction for T20 Mumbai League Season 4 is scheduled to take place on May 2, where franchises will bid to complete their squads. The tournament itself will commence on June 2, promising another thrilling edition of competitive cricket in Mumbai.
These retentions set the foundation for what is expected to be a highly contested season, with teams blending established stars and promising youngsters to vie for the championship title.
