Mumbai Indians Bolster Squad with Krish Bhagat After Ankolekar's Injury Setback
In a strategic move ahead of the IPL 2026 season, the Mumbai Indians franchise has officially announced the signing of young all-rounder Krish Bhagat as a direct replacement for Atharva Ankolekar. Ankolekar, aged 25, has been ruled out of the entire tournament after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained during the recent Ranji Trophy season earlier this year.
New Signing Details and Background
The Mumbai Indians management secured the services of Krish Bhagat, a 21-year-old right-handed all-rounder from Punjab, at the base price of INR 30 lakh. Bhagat, who represents Punjab in domestic cricket, is recognized for his versatility as a right-arm fast bowler and his capability to contribute with the bat in the lower order.
His journey to the IPL main squad is marked by persistence and dedication. Having been part of Mumbai Indians trials for the past two years, Bhagat has previously played for the Reliance Team in the DY Patil T20 cup in 2026 and served as a support bowler with the team since the pre-season this year.
Krish Bhagat's Inspirational Career Path
Krish Bhagat's story is one of remarkable resilience and quiet determination. Hailing from Jalandhar, he comes from a family with deep roots in sports and public service, being the nephew of Mohinder Bhagat, MLA from Jalandhar West.
Early in his cricketing career, Bhagat faced a significant challenge when he suffered a life-altering spinal cord injury. Through intense rehabilitation and unwavering commitment, he made a stunning return to competitive cricket. Post-recovery, he established his prowess in age-group tournaments, scoring over 500 runs in the Cooch Behar Trophy and claiming 30 wickets in the Colonel C.K. Nayudu Trophy, showcasing his all-round potential.
His consistent performance and strong work ethic have impressed the Mumbai Indians coaching staff during practice sessions and domestic engagements, earning him this well-deserved opportunity to transition into the main squad.
Domestic Career Statistics
As of his signing, Krish Bhagat's domestic cricket record highlights his capabilities across formats:
- First-Class: 7 matches, 7 wickets with a best of 4/52, and 145 runs.
- List A: 9 matches, 9 wickets with a best of 3/33, and a half-century (51 runs vs Uttarakhand).
- T20: 8 matches in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 Cup with 8 wickets.
This signing underscores Mumbai Indians' focus on nurturing young talent and adapting to squad challenges as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season.
