Mumbai Indians snapped a rough patch in IPL 2026 by defeating the Gujarat Titans by 99 runs, bouncing back after four successive defeats. The turnaround came despite another early collapse in MI’s top order, with Tilak Varma producing a sensational century to steady the innings. With the ball, Impact Player Ashwani Kumar delivered the breakthrough momentum when it mattered most, finishing with figures of 4 wickets for 24 runs.
After the match: positivity in the MI dressing room
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ashwani Kumar said the Mumbai camp stayed upbeat even through the losing streak. He pointed to skipper Hardik Pandya as a key reason the group kept its confidence intact while results weren’t going their way.
Ashwani was asked about the mood in the dressing room during the winless run and responded that the environment remained “very good,” with only optimistic conversations throughout, regardless of whether outcomes swung in MI’s favour. He also credited Tilak Varma for the way he played and said the side knew they would put up a competitive total once the innings found its rhythm.
How MI planned for Gujarat Titans batters
Ashwani also shared details of his approach to Gujarat’s batting unit. In his first outing of the season, the pacer said he studied the batters beforehand, but once he was on the field and understood what the pitch required, he discussed adjustments with Hardik.
He highlighted that while the team entered the game with a plan, execution had to be shaped by the conditions as the match progressed. Ashwani explained that he consulted the captain after reading the wicket and then worked to carry out the revised instructions.
According to Ashwani’s account, the strategy paid off as he struck key blows, dismissing Shubman Gill, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan and Rashid Khan. He added that he had spoken with Hardik about the blueprint and tried to implement it during the spell.
Where things stand for Mumbai Indians
With the win, Mumbai Indians moved up to seventh place on the points table, having now recorded 2 victories from their first 6 matches. Despite the big result, the franchise still has work to do, with several issues to address if they are to realistically challenge for a top-four finish.
