Mumbai Indians are enduring a difficult stretch in IPL 2026, with the franchise stumbling through a poor run of results that has left them under immediate pressure. After starting the season with a convincing six-wicket triumph over Kolkata Knight Riders, their momentum evaporated quickly as they slid into a string of defeats, culminating in a painful loss to Chennai Super Kings.
Key takeaways
- MI have lost five of their first seven IPL 2026 matches so far.
- They began with a six-wicket win over KKR, but then dropped four straight games.
- A 99-run win over Gujarat Titans suggested a turnaround before MI were beaten by 103 runs by CSK.
- Against CSK, Hardik Pandya was hit for 38 runs in two overs and did not bowl in the slog-overs, with Krish Bhagat taking over.
- Krish Bhagat conceded 31 runs in his two overs in that CSK match.
- MI’s next fixture is against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29.
From early promise to a damaging collapse
Mumbai Indians kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in strong fashion, getting the better of Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets. However, the side failed to build on that early success and soon found themselves on the back foot, losing four consecutive matches.
With their season teetering, MI appeared to regain some rhythm when they produced a commanding 99-run victory over Gujarat Titans. The relief was short-lived, though, as they were then struck by a major setback—falling to Chennai Super Kings by 103 runs—an outcome that has placed them in a precarious position in the tournament.
Hardik’s over woes and the debate over bowling choices
During the match versus CSK, Hardik Pandya was struck for 38 runs across two overs. Following that spell, he did not bowl in the later slog-overs, and Mumbai opted to give the responsibility to 21-year-old Krish Bhagat.
Bhagat struggled to contain the CSK batters as he conceded 31 runs in his two overs. The bowling decision and the execution in the death phase quickly intensified scrutiny around Hardik’s captaincy and his role in the finishing overs.
Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth was particularly critical of Hardik, arguing that the captain lacked faith in his own bowling at the most crucial stage. Srikkanth also questioned MI’s tactical choice to bowl first after winning the toss, pointing to the wider impact that such decisions can have in T20 cricket.
In his remarks, Srikkanth said the issue begins with Hardik’s hesitancy to bowl death overs despite past experience, and he added that MI’s approach should have been different—highlighting the value of batting first when given the toss. He cited recent examples of game-changing performances such as Tilak Varma in the previous match and Sanju Samson in another, suggesting that chasing or pursuing totals can still offer individual opportunities when the plan is right.
Srikkanth further described the captaincy as flawed, claiming that Hardik should have taken the initiative to bat first after winning the toss and that the team’s pattern has been inconsistent—particularly when chasing. He also criticized the decision to hand the last two overs to Krish Bhagat, despite Hardik being a main bowler with experience in death-over bowling at the T20 World Cup level.
MI’s chasing record and next match
Beyond the CSK defeat, MI’s problems have also shown up in their ability to chase targets. Apart from their opening match win over KKR, the side have not managed to successfully chase any target in IPL 2026 so far.
Mumbai Indians will now take on Sunrisers Hyderabad next, with the match scheduled for April 29.
