Former India opener Aakash Chopra has opined that the Mumbai Indians (MI) would just relax at the IPL 2026 auction. He highlighted that the five-time champions don’t have much money left in their purse and don’t need too many players either. Ad MI have a 20-member squad, including seven overseas players, heading into the IPL 2026 auction. They have an available budget of ₹2. 75 crore and can buy at most five players, including one overseas. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the cricketer-turned-commentator stated light-heartedly that the Mumbai Indians would need a good internet connection at the auction. “What all will Mumbai need? Firstly, they don’t have much money. They have only ₹2. 75 crore left with them. I feel, on the auction day, they will need a good internet connection. They will need a good playlist. You can make a good group with friends, where you can chat,” he said. (4: 30) Ad Trending Ad Chopra added that the MI think tank would sit leisurely and watch the other franchises buy their players. “After that, you can check out a few reels on Instagram. They will need only these three or four things. Good coffee, good water, good food, and keep one leg over the other and watch everyone else because Mumbai don’t need anything. Mumbai is ready,” he observed. Ad The Mumbai Indians traded in Sherfane Rutherford, Shardul Thakur and Mayank Markande and traded out Arjun Tendulkar ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. They released eight players, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman (₹2 crore) being the most expensive among them. “They needed a guy who could bat down the order” Aakash Chopra on Mumbai Indians’ acquisition of Sherfane Rutherford ahead of IPL 2026 auction In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Mumbai Indians addressed their middle-order concerns by trading in Sherfane Rutherford. Ad “They don’t have a lot of money, but they don’t need to shop. This is a very happy place to be. The entire team is already ready. They needed a guy who could bat down the order and they got that by acquiring Sherfane Rutherford. If they want anyone up the order, you find Will Jacks with Ryan Rickelton there,” he said. Ad The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player added that Shardul Thakur’s acquisition gives MI an ideal backup for the injury-prone Deepak Chahar. “At times, it seemed like Deepak Chahar has an injury issue and if they could get another senior fast bowler, so they said Shardul Thakur has come. Palghar Express has come for ₹2 crore. So you get him as an option and he knows these conditions,” Chopra observed. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Mumbai Indians might have let Karn Sharma go, but have acquired Mayank Markande, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman being released, considering Allah Ghazanfar’s likely availability. To conclude, the analyst noted that MI would rely on their scouting team to onboard some relatively unknown players at the auction. × Feedback Why did you not like this content? Clickbait / Misleading Factually Incorrect Hateful or Abusive Baseless Opinion Too Many Ads Other Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Get real-time updates on IPL 2025, live scores, IPL Prediction, match schedule, points table, Result & squad -CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS Edited by Kartik Iyer.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-they-will-need-good-internet-connection-former-india-opener-s-hilarious-take-mumbai-indians-requirements-ipl-2026-auction
Tag Archives: chopra
Pankaj Dheer Death: Mahabharat actor’s wife Anita Dheer is a popular…, her work has been featured in movies like…
**B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat and Pankaj Dheer’s Enduring Legacy**
B. R. Chopra’s *Mahabharat* has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of an entire generation. Among the cast, Pankaj Dheer, who portrayed the iconic character Karna, received widespread acclaim for his powerful performance.
Reportedly, Pankaj had initially wished to play the role of Arjun in the series. However, destiny had other plans, and he became forever recognized as Karna. His portrayal was so convincing that even textbooks feature his photo alongside the character’s name, highlighting the impact he made.
—
**In Memoriam: Pankaj Dheer Passes Away at 68**
In unfortunate news, the entertainment industry and fans alike were plunged into sorrow as Pankaj Dheer passed away at the age of 68. Reports confirm that the actor had been battling cancer for an extended period, and on October 15, 2025, it was reported that he succumbed to the illness.
Though his family has remained private and refrained from making official statements, his co-star Firoz Khan confirmed the tragic news. Pankaj Dheer’s death has left a profound sense of grief among his fans, friends, family, and colleagues.
—
**A Glimpse Into Pankaj Dheer’s Career**
Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1956, Pankaj was the son of C. L. Dheer, a renowned director in Hindi cinema. Growing up in a household connected to the film industry intensified his interest in the glamour world.
Initially, Pankaj aspired to work behind the scenes, but destiny had other plans. He made his acting debut in 1983 with the film *Sookha*. His breakthrough came soon after when he portrayed Karna in B. R. Chopra’s *Mahabharat*, establishing himself as a household name by the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Following this, Pankaj appeared in popular television shows such as *Yug*, *The Great Maratha*, *Sasural Simar Ka*, and *Badho Bahu*. He also took on supporting roles in Bollywood films like *Sadak*, *Baadshah*, and *Soldier*.
In 2014, Pankaj ventured into directing with the project *My Father Godfather*, which featured his son.
—
**Pankaj Dheer’s Personal Life: His Wife Anita Dheer**
Beyond his professional achievements, Pankaj was a devoted husband to Anita Dheer. The couple married in 1976 and remained together until his passing.
Anita is a respected costume designer in Bollywood, recognized for her work in films such as *Victoria No. 203: Diamonds Are Forever*, *Ikke Pe Ikka*, and *Boxer*. Together, they had two children.
Though Pankaj was not very active on social media, his last post in June 2024 featured a heartfelt image with Anita.
—
**Pankaj and Anita’s Children: Nikitin and Nikita Dheer**
Pankaj and Anita’s son, Nikitin Dheer, has carved out his own successful career in acting. He has appeared in notable films like *Chennai Express*, *Jodhaa Akbar*, and *Shershaah*. Nikitin is married to actress Kratika Sengar, who gained acclaim for her role in *Rani Lakshmibai* in the TV series *Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani Jhansi Ki Rani*.
Their daughter, Nikita Dheer, also forms part of the family’s proud legacy.
—
Pankaj Dheer’s contribution to Indian television and cinema, especially his iconic role as Karna, will be remembered fondly by fans and peers alike. His journey from aspiring behind-the-scenes artist to a beloved actor is a testament to his talent and dedication. He leaves behind a legacy cherished by generations.
https://www.bollywoodlife.com/viral-stories/pankaj-dheer-death-mahabharat-actors-wife-anita-dheer-is-a-popular-her-work-has-been-featured-in-movies-like-3266423/
