Former cricketer Suresh Raina has suggested that the Mumbai Indians (MI) should release all-rounder Will Jacks ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The five-time winners had secured the Englishman for INR 5.25 crore during last year’s mega auction, following a fierce bidding war with the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Will Jacks had a modest debut season with MI, scoring 233 runs in 13 matches at an average of 23.33 and a strike rate of 135.47. Throughout the season, he batted in four different positions, opening on one occasion and also featuring as low as No. 7. With the ball, Jacks served as a useful third spinner, particularly against left-handed batsmen. He took six wickets at an impressive average of 20 and maintained an economy rate of 8.57.
Despite this, Raina believes MI will likely release Will Jacks, along with spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. On the other hand, he expects key players such as Rohit Sharma, Deepak Chahar, and Trent Boult to be retained by the franchise.
“They should hold him (Rohit Sharma), he has won a lot of trophies for them. Deepak Chahar is just in, it depends on what options they have, so they can either release him or retain him, but they might not get players at the auction, so I think they should retain him. They should retain him (Trent Boult), he is a gun player, the advantage that he has as a left-arm bowler, they should retain him,” Raina said during a discussion on Star Sports.
The IPL franchises are expected to announce their list of retained players by the deadline day, Saturday, November 15. The IPL mini-auction is reportedly scheduled for next month as teams prepare to finalise their squads for the next season.
Meanwhile, Will Jacks is set to feature in the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series, adding to his busy schedule amid the IPL auction build-up. The all-rounder received a surprise call-up to England’s squad for the Ashes tour in Australia. He has been named as the second spinner alongside Shoaib Bashir, preferred over players like Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed.
Jacks missed the recent white-ball series in New Zealand due to a broken finger but is expected to recover in time for the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 21. Fans will be keenly watching his performance as he balances international commitments with his IPL career.
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