Mohd Izhar

Mohammad Salahuddin Izhar is a 21-year-old left-arm fast-medium bowler from Bihar who was signed by Mumbai Indians for ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. A true 'scouted gem,' Izhar’s journey from playing tennis-ball cricket in the small town of Birpur to joining the five-time champions is a testament to his grit. Before being picked by MI, he served as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings during the 2025 season, where he gained invaluable experience bowling to legends like MS Dhoni. His breakthrough performance came in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he spearheaded Bihar's attack with 9 wickets in 5 matches, including a standout spell of 4/39 against Madhya Pradesh.

Standing at 5'9', Izhar is known for his sharp left-arm swing and clever variations, often operating around the 135 km/h mark with an ability to hit hard lengths consistently. He enters the 2026 season with significant momentum, having recently helped Bihar win the Ranji Trophy Plate Group title in January 2026. A trainee of the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation, his bowling style has drawn internal comparisons to Trent Boult, whom he will now call a teammate. From living in a kuccha house to sharing a dressing room with Jasprit Bumrah, Izhar represents the next wave of Bihar’s growing cricketing talent and is seen as a high-potential left-arm option for MI's powerplay strategies.