Champions Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals retain core, add reinforcements at T20 Mumbai auction

Defending T20 Mumbai League champions Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals marked a decisive day at the auction, adding 10 new players to their squad as they continue building a team designed not just to compete, but to dominate. The franchise’s most significant acquisition came in the form of Chinmay Sutar, secured at ₹9.5 Lakhs, highlighting their intent to strengthen key areas with impact-driven talent.

Having lifted the title last season, the Royals have taken the first steps towards defending it, retaining a strong core that formed the backbone of their championship-winning campaign. Siddhesh Lad, Tushar Deshpande, and Rohan Raje headline the retained group, bringing leadership, consistency, and all-round balance.

Siddhesh Lad returns as captain, providing stability in the middle order and proven composure under pressure. Tushar Deshpande, retained as the Icon Player, continues to lead the pace attack with his wicket-taking ability and control in high-pressure death overs. Rohan Raje adds valuable all-round depth, contributing across both departments.

The auction strategy focused on clarity of roles and squad balance. The addition of Chinmay Sutar and Ayaz Khan strengthens the batting unit, offering reliability at the top and explosive finishing options in the middle and lower order. On the bowling front, Irfan Umair adds further depth and variation, complementing an attack led by Deshpande and supported by Raje.

The squad also reflects a deliberate blend of emerging talent and experienced performers, with young players such as Arjun Dani, Maxwell Swaminathan, Sahil Jadhav, and others providing energy and future potential. This mix reinforces the franchise’s commitment to nurturing Mumbai’s cricketing ecosystem while maintaining a strong competitive edge.

Mentor Abhishek Nayar continues to guide the team’s strategic direction, shaping a high-performance culture alongside Head Coach Amit Dani and the support staff.

Speaking on the auction approach, Head Coach Amit Dani said, “The focus at the auction was to build depth around combinations that worked well last season. We’ve added players who give us flexibility across batting and bowling roles, which is crucial in T20 cricket.”

Franchise owner Kapil Baheti added, “Our approach is to build consistency over seasons. Retaining the core and strengthening key areas was central to our strategy.”

Co-owner Alisha Baheti highlighted the franchise’s developmental vision, stating, “We are committed to supporting emerging players from Mumbai while building a squad that remains competitive every season.”

Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals Players List

Players Retained:Siddhesh Lad, Tushar Deshpande, Rohan Raje

Players Bought at Auction:Chinmay Sutar (9.5L), Irfan Umair (9L), Maxwell Swaminathan (6L), Ayaz Khan (4.5L), Sahil Jadhav (4.25L), Atharva Bhosale (3L), Arjun Dani (3L), Sachin Yadav (2L), Pratik Shukla (3.25L), Shreyanssh Rai (2L), Swaraj Parulkar (2L), Aditya Dhumal (6L), Om Bangar (2L), Aryan Patni (3.25L), Yash Gadia (2L), Shreyas Gurav (2L), Jitendra Paliwal (2L)

Full Squad:Siddhesh Lad, Chinmay Sutar, Rohan Raje, Tushar Deshpande, Maxwell Swaminathan, Arjun Dani, Ayaz Khan, Sahil Jadhav, Sachin Yadav, Pratik Shukla, Shreyanssh Rai, Swaraj Parulkar, Om Bangar, Irfan Umair, Atharva Bhosale, Aryan Patni, Yash Gadia, Shreyas Gurav, Jitendra Paliwal, Aditya Dhumal.