U Mumba Squad 2026: Full Player List, Sunil Kumar, Ajit Chouhan and PKL 13 Outlook
The U Mumba squad heads into PKL Season 13 built around a strong defensive spine and one of the league’s most exciting young raiders. In Season 12, the Season 2 champions won 10 of their 18 league matches, finished sixth, and reached the Play-ins before Patna Pirates ended their run. This guide covers every player on the Season 12 roster, the standout performers, the contract decisions waiting for the franchise, and what Mumbai need to become title contenders again.
Last updated: October 26, 2026. The official Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the retention announcement and player auction. This page lists the complete Season 12 roster and the players already tied to the club.
U Mumba Squad: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Home city | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| PKL titles | 1 (Season 2, beat Bengaluru Bulls 36-30) |
| Other finals | Runners-up in Season 1 and Season 3 |
| Season 12 finish | 6th in the league (10 wins, 8 losses, 20 points) |
| Season 12 score difference | +8 |
| Season 12 playoff exit | Lost Play-in 2 to Patna Pirates |
| Captain | Sunil Kumar |
| Biggest Season 12 signing | Aanil Mohan, INR 78 lakh |
| Season 13 squad status | To be confirmed after retentions and the auction |
U Mumba Squad 2026: Full Season 12 Player List
The complete U Mumba squad from Season 12 is listed below by role, as published in the official squad release, with Season 12 numbers where available.
Raiders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Kumar | Right raider | 123 raid points in 17 matches; signed for INR 49 lakh |
| Ajit Chouhan | Raider | 118 raid points in 15 matches |
| Satish Kannan | Right raider | Retained before the auction |
| Abhimanyu Raghuvanshi | Raider | Squad option |
| Mukeshkannan S | Left raider | Did not feature |
Defenders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Kumar (captain) | Defender | 52 tackle points in 19 matches |
| Rinku | Right corner | 42 tackle points in 19 matches; signed for INR 21 lakh |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | Left cover | 33 tackle points in 19 matches; one-season FBM, INR 25.10 lakh |
| Lokesh Ghosliya | Left corner | 27 tackle points in 13 matches |
| Mukilan Shanmugam | Left cover | 1 tackle point in 1 match |
| Deepak Kundu | Left corner | Retained before the auction |
| Sunny | Left cover | Retained before the auction |
| Ravi | Right cover | Squad option |
All-Rounders and Overseas Players
| Player | Type | Season 12 Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aanil Mohan | All-rounder | Signed for INR 78 lakh as a Category D player |
| Amirmohammad Zafardanesh (Iran) | All-rounder, overseas | Elite Retained Player |
| Mohammad Ghorbani (Iran) | All-rounder, overseas | Signed for INR 13 lakh |
| Rohit | All-rounder | Squad option |
| Amarjeet | All-rounder | Squad option |
Key Players in the U Mumba Squad
Here is a quick summary of the leading names before the detailed profiles.
| Player | Role | Season 12 Impact | Contract or Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Kumar | Right raider | 123 raid points in 17 matches | INR 49 lakh |
| Ajit Chouhan | Raider | 118 raid points in 15 matches | Needs new contract |
| Sunil Kumar | Defender, captain | 52 tackle points in 19 matches | Retention decision |
| Rinku | Right corner | 42 tackle points in 19 matches | INR 21 lakh |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | Left cover | 33 tackle points in 19 matches | One-season FBM ended |
Sandeep Kumar: The Value Signing
Right raider Sandeep Kumar was one of the best buys of the Season 12 auction. Signed for INR 49 lakh after impressing at Patna Pirates, he scored 123 raid points in 17 matches and became Mumbai’s most productive raider. His price will rise if he is retained, but his output makes him one of the strongest retention candidates in the U Mumba squad.
Ajit Chouhan: The Young Star
Ajit Chouhan is one of the most talented young raiders in PKL. He scored 118 raid points in 15 matches, despite injuries interrupting parts of his season. Fan contract trackers report that his New Young Player contract has ended, so U Mumba would need to offer him a longer retained-young-player deal to keep him. Securing Ajit could be the franchise’s most important retention move.
Sunil Kumar: The Captain
Sunil Kumar is third on PKL’s all-time tackle points list and the heart of the U Mumba squad. He added 52 tackle points in 19 matches in Season 12 and continued to lead the defence with authority. He was kept as an Elite Retained Player before Season 12 and remains central to Mumbai’s plans.
Rinku: The Bargain Corner
Right corner Rinku, signed for just INR 21 lakh, recorded 42 tackle points in 19 matches. That is excellent value, and his partnership with Sunil gave Mumbai a strong right side.
Parvesh Bhainswal: The Experienced Cover
Parvesh Bhainswal is one of the league’s most experienced defenders and ninth on the all-time tackle points list. U Mumba released him before Season 12, then brought him back with a one-season FBM for INR 25.10 lakh. He scored 33 tackle points in 19 matches. Because the FBM was for one season, he needs a new decision for Season 13.
How the U Mumba Squad Was Built for Season 12
After reaching the Season 11 playoffs for the first time since 2019, U Mumba kept their core. Before the auction, they retained raiders Ajit Chouhan and Satish Kannan, defenders Sunil Kumar, Deepak Kundu, Lokesh Ghosliya, Mukilan Shanmugam and Sunny, and all-rounder Amirmohammad Zafardanesh.
Season 12 Auction Moves
| Player | Role | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aanil Mohan | All-rounder | INR 78 lakh | Category D, biggest buy of Day 2 |
| Sandeep Kumar | Raider | INR 49 lakh | |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | Left cover | INR 25.10 lakh | FBM, one season |
| Rinku | Right corner | INR 21 lakh | |
| Mohammad Ghorbani | Overseas all-rounder | INR 13 lakh |
The Aanil Mohan deal surprised many observers, because U Mumba paid far above the Category D base price. It showed the franchise’s willingness to back its own scouting. For a wider look at the league’s biggest deals, see our list of the highest-paid PKL players.
U Mumba Season 12 Review
The U Mumba squad won 10 of 18 league matches and finished sixth on 20 points. Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers and U Mumba all finished on 20 points, and Mumbai’s score difference of +8 placed them sixth of the three. That position sent them into Play-in 2 against seventh-placed Patna Pirates, who won and went on to reach Eliminator 3. You can see the full standings on our PKL points table.
Season 12 by the Numbers
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| League position | 6th |
| Wins / losses | 10 / 8 |
| League points | 20 |
| Score difference | +8 |
| Top raider | Sandeep Kumar, 123 raid points |
| Top defender | Sunil Kumar, 52 tackle points |
| Playoff exit | Play-in 2 |
U Mumba Squad Contract Status for PKL 13
Fan contract trackers report the following situation for the U Mumba squad.
| Player | Category | Season 13 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Mukilan Shanmugam | Retained Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Mukeshkannan S | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Ajit Chouhan | Needs a new young-player contract | Key decision |
| Lokesh Ghosliya | Needs a new young-player contract | Strong candidate |
| Sandeep Kumar | Retention decision | Strong candidate |
| Sunil Kumar | Retention decision | Strong candidate |
| Rinku | Retention decision | Strong candidate |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | One-season FBM ended | Key decision |
| Amirmohammad Zafardanesh | Retention decision | Uncertain |
The Parvesh Strategy
Last year, Mumbai released Parvesh and bought him back cheaply with the FBM card. Whether they try the same move again, retain him directly, or look for a new left cover is one of the more interesting decisions in the Season 13 window. Our guide on retained and released players explains how this strategy works.
Strengths of the U Mumba Squad
An Experienced Defensive Core
Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal are both in the top ten of PKL’s all-time tackle points list. With Rinku alongside them, Mumbai’s defence has experience and quality.
Two Productive Raiders
Sandeep Kumar and Ajit Chouhan combined for 241 raid points, giving Mumbai a balanced attack.
Smart Value Signings
Rinku and Sandeep Kumar delivered far more than their price tags, a sign of strong scouting.
Weaknesses the U Mumba Squad Must Fix
Turning Good Into Great
Mumbai have reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons but have not gone deep. They need the extra quality to win knockout games.
Injury Cover for Ajit Chouhan
Ajit’s talent is clear, but injuries have interrupted his progress. A strong third raider would protect the team when he is unavailable.
Coaching Questions
Fan reports suggested U Mumba were considering a coaching change ahead of Season 13. Clarity in the dugout would help the squad build on its two playoff seasons.
U Mumba Squad Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Experienced defensive core | No deep playoff run |
| Two productive raiders | Injury cover for Ajit Chouhan |
| Smart value signings | Narrow +8 score difference |
| Back-to-back playoff seasons | Coaching questions |
What U Mumba Need at the PKL 13 Auction
Our PKL Season 13 auction guide explains the process. For Mumbai, these are the likely priorities.
Priority 1: Secure Ajit Chouhan
Locking in the young raider on a longer deal would give the U Mumba squad a long-term attacking leader.
Priority 2: Keep the Right-Side Defence
Retaining Sunil Kumar and Rinku would preserve one of the league’s best right-side partnerships.
Priority 3: An All-Rounder Who Can Change Games
A proven all-rounder would add flexibility in tight matches.
U Mumba Auction Priority Table
| Priority | Target | Urgency | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secure Ajit Chouhan | High | Long-term attacking leader |
| 2 | Keep the right-side defence | High | Sunil Kumar and Rinku |
| 3 | Game-changing all-rounder | Medium | Flexibility in tight matches |
U Mumba Squad: Likely Core for Season 13
| Role | Likely Core Options |
|---|---|
| Lead raiders | Sandeep Kumar, Ajit Chouhan (if retained) |
| Captain and defender | Sunil Kumar |
| Right corner | Rinku |
| Left cover | Parvesh Bhainswal, or an auction signing |
| Left corner | Lokesh Ghosliya |
This is analysis based on Season 12 form and reported contracts, not an official line-up. For the full franchise outlook, visit the main U Mumba team page.
U Mumba Squad History
U Mumba were one of the dominant teams of PKL’s early years. They reached the first final in Season 1, losing 35-24 to Jaipur Pink Panthers, then won the title in Season 2 by beating Bengaluru Bulls 36-30. They reached a third straight final in Season 3, losing to Patna Pirates. During that era, U Mumba also set PKL’s longest winning streak, with 11 consecutive wins in Season 3. The modern squad is trying to bring the franchise back to that level.
U Mumba Key Milestones
| Season | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Season 1 (2014) | Runners-up, lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers 35-24 |
| Season 2 (2015) | Champions, beat Bengaluru Bulls 36-30 |
| Season 3 (2016) | Runners-up; record 11 straight wins |
| Season 11 (2024) | First playoffs since 2019 |
| Season 12 (2025) | 6th in the league, lost in the Play-ins |
U Mumba Squad by the Numbers: Season 12 Top Performers
The U Mumba squad had one of the more balanced statistical profiles in the league, with two productive raiders and four defenders who each made a real contribution.
| Player | Role | Matches | Key Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Kumar | Right raider | 17 | 123 raid points |
| Ajit Chouhan | Raider | 15 | 118 raid points |
| Sunil Kumar | Defender | 19 | 52 tackle points |
| Rinku | Right corner | 19 | 42 tackle points |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | Left cover | 19 | 33 tackle points |
| Lokesh Ghosliya | Left corner | 13 | 27 tackle points |
What the Numbers Tell Us
Mumbai’s defenders combined for more than 150 tackle points, while the two lead raiders delivered 241 raid points. That balance kept them competitive in most matches. The small +8 score difference, however, shows that many games were tight, and the margins between sixth place and the top four were thin.
U Mumba Squad: Season 13 Timeline
| Step | Expected Timing | What It Means for Mumbai |
|---|---|---|
| Retention list | Before the auction | Shows whether Ajit Chouhan signs a new deal |
| Player auction | Reported for late October 2026, not confirmed | Left cover and all-rounder targets |
| Squad announcement | After the auction | Final Season 13 roster |
| Season opener | Expected late December 2026 | Third straight playoff push begins |
The Maharashtra Derby
Matches against Puneri Paltan are the biggest fixtures on Mumbai’s calendar. The two Maharashtra franchises have built a strong rivalry over the years, and Pune’s run to the Season 12 final only adds to Mumbai’s motivation for Season 13.
U Mumba Squad Depth Chart by Position
The depth chart shows a U Mumba squad that is well covered in defence and has two strong raiders, but relies on contract decisions to keep that structure in place.
| Position | First Choice | Backup Options | Depth Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right raider | Sandeep Kumar | Satish Kannan, Abhimanyu Raghuvanshi | Good |
| Left raider | Ajit Chouhan | Mukeshkannan S | Fair |
| Right cover | Sunil Kumar | Ravi | Strong |
| Right corner | Rinku | Squad options | Good |
| Left cover | Parvesh Bhainswal | Sunny, Mukilan Shanmugam | Good |
| Left corner | Lokesh Ghosliya | Deepak Kundu | Good |
The ratings are our analysis of Season 12 output and squad depth, not an official assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the U Mumba squad for PKL 13 been announced?
Not yet. The Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the official retention list and the player auction. This page shows the full Season 12 roster and players already tied to the club.
Who was U Mumba’s top raider in Season 12?
Right raider Sandeep Kumar led the team with 123 raid points in 17 matches, closely followed by Ajit Chouhan with 118.
Who is the U Mumba captain?
Sunil Kumar captained U Mumba in Season 12. He is third on PKL’s all-time tackle points list.
Where did U Mumba finish in Season 12?
They finished sixth with 10 wins from 18 matches, then lost to Patna Pirates in Play-in 2.
How many titles have U Mumba won?
One. U Mumba won the Season 2 title, beating Bengaluru Bulls 36-30 in the final.
Why did U Mumba pay INR 78 lakh for Aanil Mohan?
U Mumba backed their scouting of the young all-rounder and paid far above his Category D base price. It was the biggest spend of Day 2 at the Season 12 auction.
Is Ajit Chouhan staying at U Mumba?
Fan contract trackers report that his New Young Player deal has ended, so U Mumba would need to offer him a longer retained-young-player contract. The official retention list will confirm whether he stays.
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