Tough Call for MI Fans: Hayden Wants Boult, Chahar Released Ahead of IPL Auction

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has advised the Mumbai Indians to release two key pacers, Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15, 2025, to free up salary cap space for bolstering bench strength. Speaking on JioStar's IPL 2026 'Retention Preview' on November 11, Hayden praised MI's balanced playing XI but highlighted vulnerabilities in backups, stating, "Mumbai Indians are five-time champions for a reason; they have a great mix of young talent. However, they need to address their backup players. If I were in their camp, I would consider releasing two bowlers: Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar." This drastic step could allow the franchise to reacquire the duo at auction for lower fees, preserving their core while adding depth.

MI's pace attack is a powerhouse, featuring Jasprit Bumrah (retained for Rs 18 crore), Boult (acquired for Rs 12.5 crore in the 2025 auction after stints with Rajasthan Royals), Chahar (Rs 9.25 crore from Chennai Super Kings), captain Hardik Pandya, Reece Topley, and young left-armer Ashwani Kumar. Boult, 36, excelled in IPL 2025 with 22 wickets at an economy of 7.98, dominating powerplays with his swing, while Chahar, 32, contributed 15 wickets despite injury niggles. However, recurring fitness issues for Chahar and Topley—both sidelined multiple times in 2025—have exposed MI's over-reliance on starters, leading to mid-season vulnerabilities during their playoff push.

Hayden's suggestion aligns with MI's historical auction savvy, where strategic releases have yielded bargains, as seen with Bumrah's retention and Tilak Varma's emergence. Releasing Boult and Chahar would reclaim Rs 21.75 crore from the Rs 120 crore purse, enabling bids for versatile backups like South Africa's Corbin Bosch or Australia's Ben Dwarshuis, who impressed in recent T20Is. MI enters retentions with five slots filled (Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bumrah, and Tilak Varma), leaving room for two more at Rs 18 crore each or uncapped picks at Rs 4 crore, per IPL rules.

Also Read: Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Yamal Poised to Lead Their Nations to FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification

The advice comes amid MI's IPL 2025 resurgence under Hardik, reaching playoffs after a rocky start but finishing fourth behind Chennai Super Kings. With a mega auction looming in December, franchises like MI face tough calls to blend experience with youth. While Boult and Chahar's release risks losing powerplay edge, it could fund all-rounders or spinners, addressing 2025's middle-overs leaks (economy 8.5+).

As retention announcements near, Hayden's bold take has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some echoing the need for depth over stars in T20's injury-prone landscape. MI's decision could redefine their six-title chase, balancing nostalgia with reinvention in a league where adaptability wins auctions and finals alike.

Also Read: Sunil Chhetri Leads Players’ Appeal as ISL Crisis Deepens Amid AIFF Deadlock