Mumbai Indians handed a shock IPL debut to 21-year-old Punjab all-rounder Krish Bhagat against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 20.
Moreover, the right-arm pacer was drafted into the main squad just three days before the fixture as a replacement for injured all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar.
Bhagat has spent the last two seasons with the MI system through trials, DY Patil T20 Cup appearances, and pre-season camps.
Additionally, his domestic record includes seven first-class and nine List A matches for Punjab.
Krish Bhagat Early Life and Cricketing Journey
Krish Bhagat hails from Punjab and represents his state across domestic formats. Furthermore, he is a right handed all rounder known for his right arm fast bowling and handy lower order hitting.
The youngster has spent the last two seasons working his way through the Mumbai Indians system. Notably, he featured for the Reliance Team in the DY Patil T20 Cup 2026 earlier this year.
Meanwhile, his appearances in trials convinced the coaching staff to keep him close to the senior setup. As a result, his promotion to the main squad feels like a reward for steady persistence rather than a shock call up.
Krish Bhagat’s Road to the Mumbai Indians Squad
Bhagat has been part of Mumbai Indians trials for the past two years. Additionally, he served as a support bowler during the franchise’s pre season camp this term. Captain Hardik Pandya confirmed at the toss that the youngster impressed the coaches during practice sessions.
According to him, Bhagat entered the team just three days before the GT fixture. However, the management felt his work ethic and readiness justified the leap. Consequently, the franchise released a statement praising his dedication, quality, and ability to adapt to every training environment.
Krish Bhagat Career Stats and Role for Mumbai Indians
Krish Bhagat has a limited but promising domestic record across formats. In first class cricket, he has played seven matches and picked up seven wickets in eight innings.
Furthermore, he has scored 145 runs at an average of 18.12 with a highest score of 39 not out. In List A cricket, Bhagat has featured in nine games and claimed nine wickets at an average of 29.55 and an economy rate of 6.11.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians are expected to use him in the middle overs where their senior pacers have struggled for breakthroughs. Therefore, his debut could mark the start of a key support role in MI’s bowling plans.
