Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said there will be no weakness in Mumbai Indians’ team if leg-spinner Mayank Markande performs his role effectively. Pathan highlighted that Markande has improved his bowling in the recent past and he is going to hold the key for the five-time champions.
Markande started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2018 season. He made his debut against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings and returned with impressive figures of 3-23 in his quota of four overs.
Markande has scalped 37 wickets in as many IPL matches and the 28-year-old would look to be at his best in upcoming IPL 2026.
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “Mayank Markande has been brought back. He started his career here, but the question is whether he will bring the same impact to the matches. It has been heard that he has improved a lot in his bowling. He now looks like a more complete spinner, and his ball is turning well. If he performs his role effectively, there will be no weakness in this Mumbai Indians team.
“For an Indian spinner, the way you play your role in the middle overs is also a crucial factor, because Allah Ghazanfar bowls upfront. If you have good spinners bowling from both ends in the middle overs, I think that is the biggest factor. Mumbai Indians have lagged a little behind in this aspect in recent times. If Mayank Markande does his job this year, it will add much more solidity to the Mumbai Indians team. This is a very important factor,” he added.
On the other hand, Pathan raised concerns on Deepak Chahar’s fitness ahead of IPL 2026. Chahar scalped 11 wickets in 14 matches of IPL 2025.
“Deepak Chahar’s fitness is always closely watched because he has had fitness issues in the past. The second concern is his performance. Last year, he did not even take a wicket per match, and his economy rate was around nine. Mumbai Indians will expect much better performance from him this time. He has been brought in as a new-ball wicket-taker, and he will need to perform that role consistently. If he does, it becomes much easier for the captain to manage the game.”
Pathan believes that if new-ball bowlers Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar can deliver for MI, then it would make the job of other bowlers easier.
“With Trent Boult bowling from one end and Deepak Chahar from the other, both taking wickets with the new ball, the team can then use the other bowlers as needed. Deepak Chahar can also bowl three overs non-stop in the powerplay, finishing it strongly. Therefore, staying in form and taking wickets is very important for him. However, he does not play too much cricket between IPL seasons, and this will be a big challenge for Deepak Chahar.”
Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on 29th March.
