With IPL 2026 getting underway, many expected Mumbai Indians to dominate and march toward the playoffs, given their track record and the strength of their squad. Instead, Hardik Pandya’s team has slipped to the ninth position on the points table. A defeat to Chennai Super Kings on Saturday would leave Mumbai on the brink of being effectively knocked out of playoff contention.
A key factor behind Mumbai’s struggles has been Suryakumar Yadav’s poor run of form. The 35-year-old, who recently played a leading role as India lifted the T20 World Cup earlier this year, has struggled to find consistency in IPL 2026. In eight matches, he has managed only 162 runs, with his top score reaching 51 against the Delhi Capitals—an abrupt contrast to the previous IPL season, where he amassed more than 700 runs.
Jayawardene backs Suryakumar after tough stretch
Ahead of Mumbai’s clash with CSK, head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed reporters about Suryakumar’s current struggles. Speaking in the pre-match press conference on Friday, Jayawardene suggested that the batter’s situation is one many experienced players face and underlined the importance of sticking with the process.
- Jayawardene said he has already discussed Suryakumar’s batting with him, pointing out that in the middle the effort and practice are there, and that the batter is getting himself into good positions.
- He acknowledged that the “start” to a few of Suryakumar’s innings has been “unfortunate,” explaining that despite getting starts and playing well at times, wickets have fallen after moments where he struck and was dismissed near the boundary line.
- Jayawardene added that there have been occasions where Suryakumar faced deliveries that were good enough to punish, only for the result to not go his way.
On what should happen next, the former Sri Lanka captain urged Mumbai to keep trusting the batter’s mindset. Jayawardene said that as a batsman himself he understands how such stretches can unfold and that the conversations should focus on confidence in one’s thought process and ability. He stressed that Suryakumar is experienced enough to work through the issue and adjust back to his best.
“So, batsmen, me being a batsman as well, I’ve gone through those kinds of situations. Like, why is it happening to me? But it does happen,” Jayawardene said, while encouraging the team to continue backing Suryakumar during the difficult phase. He also highlighted that Suryakumar’s style is “very unorthodox,” and that Mumbai’s encouragement is built around how he sees the game and how he plays.
Jayawardene further noted that Suryakumar has previously enjoyed “three, four brilliant years,” not just in the last season, and that players can go through short spells where everything doesn’t fall into place. However, he said Suryakumar understands that reality and is capable of responding with the same approach he has always relied on.
Despite being one of India’s standout performers in the T20 World Cup—where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer for the team—Suryakumar’s IPL 2026 form has dropped significantly. The decline began after the season’s opening match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, and it has continued through the eight games that have followed.
