IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians at crossroads after another loss; Mahela calls it ‘lack of execution’

MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians’ coach Mahela Jayawardene cut a dejected figure as he settled into his seat during the post-match press conference. The depressed body language was a realisation that things will only get harder from here on, after their archrivals Chennai Super Kings handed them their biggest defeat in IPL history on Thursday. MI’s fifth loss in seven matches leaves them eighth in the standings with four points and makes the task of making the playoffs even tougher.

Traditionally, MI do not like to tinker much with their playing XI. But this season, injuries, lack of player availability and a dip in form have meant the five-time champions have had to chop and change in search of a settled combination. In the first seven matches, they have already used 20 players — the most in this IPL — but without the desired results.




In Thursday’s defeat against CSK, MI looked meek, rather than bold, when their backs were against the wall. When it mattered, their most experienced players let them down. Skipper Hardik Pandya, who went for 38 runs in his first two overs, did not finish his quota and instead threw the ball to inexperienced Krish Bhagat in the 16th and 20th overs. Sanju Samson sniffed the opportunity and hammered 31 runs off the two overs bowled by the 21-year-old pacer. Pandya would have posed a much greater challenge for Samson than a newbie playing his first match at his home ground.

Despite Rohit Sharma’s absence, the batting unit boasts plenty of experience, with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Pandya and Sherfane Rutherford all capable of winning a match on their own. However, it looked like they were psyched out by the initial turn Akeal Hosein extracted.

De Kock struggled before chopping on off Mukesh Choudhary, while Suryak and Tilak tried to rebuild from 11/3 but could never control the run rate. When they attempted to accelerate, both perished, while Pandya’s poor run with the bat continued.
Jayawardene put it down to a “lack of execution” in both departments.

“Yes, bowling — we need to improve, we know that. But at the same time, batting hasn’t been consistent as well, so we just need to find that space where we can compete. Still, I feel that if we play our best cricket, we have a great chance. But the confidence, the focus, the discipline have to be there for the next seven games,” said Jayawardene.

He added: “I don’t think the wicket played badly. Probably it stayed the same. It was still a chaseable score if you had batted well. Once you’re 11/3, you’re always going to get pulled back, and they had the upper hand from that point.”

Jayawardene, though, is not throwing in the towel yet and plans to use the five-day break before their next home match against SRH on Wednesday to reinvigorate morale.

A SEASON IN FREEFALL

Mumbai’s 103-run defeat to CSK — their heaviest ever — laid bare the chinks in the team’s armour. TOI takes a look...

Bowling woes: Barring Jasprit Bumrah and Allah Ghazanfar, most have leaked runs. Experienced campaigners like skipper Hardik Pandya (ER 12.7), Shardul Thakur (13.6), Deepak Chahar (13.4) and Trent Boult (12.2) have disappointed.

Constant changes: Opening combo altered twice, first when Rohit Sharma was sidelined with injury and then when Danish Malewar replaced Ryan Rickelton. Also, as many as 10 bowlers have been used.

Powerplay woes: In the rain-hit match against RR, MI conceded 58 in 3.2 overs and then slipped to 30/3. Against PBKS at home, they managed 48/2 compared to PBKS’ 61/2. In Thursday’s clash against CSK, they conceded 73/2 before being reduced to 29/3 while chasing.

Misfiring stars: Key players Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Boult have blown hot and cold.

Poor captaincy: Skipper’s commitment is evident but captaincy has been below par. Bowling changes, in particular, have raised eyebrows.

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