IPL 2026: 'No Trent Boult' Ravi Ashwin picks MI's playing XI for IPL 2026

Ravi Ashwin and Trent Boult (Pic: X and MI)

Former Indian star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has picked his Mumbai Indians playing XI for the IPL 2026. The former CSK man made a few surprising decisions while picking the team for the 5-time champions.

The Mumbai Indians have one of the strongest squads in the IPL. The Hardik Pandya-led side have abundance of options both from local and international players. While picking the best team for the season opener, Ashwin sprung a surprise by dropping Kiwi pacer Trent Boult and opting instead for Afghan spinner Allah Ghazanfar.

"The reason I am playing Ghazanfar is because, in this line-up, I am leaving Trent Boult. Deepak Chahar can take the new ball because Boult is not there. I need Ghazanfar for the new ball. MI should take advantage of the form of Rutherford and Jacks. So, if I am playing these two, I have to leave out Trent Boult." Ashwin said.

Ashwin added that he would use Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Ghazanfar in the powerplay and play both Rutherford and Jacks in the starting XI. If the bowling combinations don't work, Ashwin would slot Santner in the team

"Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Jasprit Bumrah - I will use these three and get out of the powerplay. If I have to bowl against a left-hander, I can also bowl Will Jacks. If I play Mitchell Santner, I don't get that new ball specialist. If this combination is not working for me, then I will bring Mitchell Santner back." Ashwin added.

Ashwin backs Tilak Varma to have a big season

While picking the best batsman and bowler from MI, Ashwin picked Tilak Varma to have a big season. The southpaw is in fine form, having won the T20 World Cup with India and has the ability to win the match on his own. Meanwhile, for the best bowler role, Ashwin went with the obvious choice of Jasprit Bumrah.

"According to me, this time the best batsman for Mumbai is going to be Tilak Varma. And we have predicted the best bowler. We can't even think of anyone but Jasprit Bumrah," Ashwin said during a discussion on his YouTube show Ash ki baat.