New Delhi – The Mumbai Indians surprised fans on IPL 2026 retentions day by dropping the promising left‑arm wrist‑spinner Vignesh Puthur. The five‑time champions had spotted Puthur through their extensive scouting network and were impressed by his debut performance, which saw him dismiss Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda in Chennai.
Sources close to the decision say the release is tied to Puthur’s ongoing injury recovery. “Vignesh is still healing from a shin injury he sustained in the Kerala Cricket League,” a confidential source told . “Mumbai will continue to support his rehab even though he was let go ahead of the December 16 auction in Abu Dhabi.”
Puthur was ruled out of IPL 2025 after bone stress reactions in both shins forced him out of the league. The Mumbai side replaced him with Raghu Sharma, and the team finished third. Although Puthur managed to play two games for the Alleppey Ripples in the KCL 2025, a shin setback again sidelined him.
In other roster moves, a trade between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for wicket‑keeper‑batter KL Rahul fell through. One of DC’s co‑owners stepped in to halt the deal. The same owner helped secure the surprise move of former Rajasthan Royals hero Nitish Rana to the Capitals, a swap that shook the IPL community after KKR had been in talks to trade Rana.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings stunned observers by releasing Australian wicket‑keeper‑batter Josh Inglis. Inglis had played key knocks in Punjab’s runners‑up finish last season, but sources say he will be largely unavailable for IPL 2026 because of a wedding scheduled around the same time. “He needs time to rest, prepare for his wedding, and focus on excelling for Australian cricket after the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka,” a source added.
These roster changes set the stage for a crowded IPL 2026 auction, as teams tighten squads and strategise for the new season.
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