IPL 2026: Are the Mumbai Indians Getting It Wrong This Season? Full Analysis

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) moved atop Indian Premier League (IPL) standings with their victory over five-time champions, the Mumbai Indians (MI), on April 16, 2026. PBKS has been on the ascendancy in recent seasons under Shreyas Iyer, but the reverse is MI’s case.

A poor run of results in recent matches has seen MI slip to 9th place after 5 matches, with just 1 win so far this season. The team’s poor run of form keeps getting attention, as questions arise over their preparedness to secure a sixth IPL crown.

Several analysts believe MI is getting their approach to IPL 2026 wrong, and that the poor setup for this season could cost them another campaign.

What is Wrong with MI in IPL 2026 So Far?

Three (3) major problems currently plague the joint most successful team in IPL history:

Poor Batting Performances

MI struggles to score runs across batting numbers this season, even if individual hitters register big hits for the team. Middle-order batters have not been at their best this term, with none of the MI hitmen among top-ranked batters after five games played.

Weak wicket-taking potential

MI’s poor bowling is the major reason behind their current woes in IPL 2026. The franchise has failed in wicket-taking leading up to the mid-season fixtures with pacers and spinners failing to register economic spells.

Non-existent batting starters

Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma are the two openers for MI this season. Rickelton has flattered to deceive for most of this campaign with underwhelming performances so far for a player at his level.  Sharma is out injured and could return for the franchise’s upcoming games.

MI Captain Receives Major Flak for Franchise’s Continued Woes

Calls for the removal of Hardik Pandya as MI captain continue to grow in recent seasons. The franchise continues to dip in title prospects each season after Pandya’s return to the squad during IPL 2024.

Pandya’s first season as MI captain upon his return could not have ended worse with the team rounding off their campaign in 10th out of ten franchises. The 2025 campaign wasn’t any better by MI standards, as the franchise failed to clinch their sixth IPL crown after repeat attempts.

MI Head Coach Admits General Strategic Failure after Poor Run of Results

Mahela Jawayardene is the MI’s head coach for IPL 2026. The legendary cricketer turned coach recently admitted his side’s failure to deliver consecutive positive results after winning their opening fixture:

“I think it’s on every one of us when we are not doing well. It’s not an individual. It’s pretty much on me, everyone who is involved in the management and all that to see how can we be better,” he said.

MI Full IPL 2026 Schedule and Results So Far

Also Read: IPL 2026: Pathirana Receives NOC from SLC, to Play for KKR

Mumbai Indians Full IPL 2026 Squad

Batters: Naman Dhir, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Danish Malewar

All-rounders: Sherfane Rutherford, Hardik Pandya, Raj Bawa, Will Jacks, Mayank Rawat, Krish Bhagat, Corbin Bosch, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Atharva Ankolekar

Wicketkeepers: Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Mayank Markande, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma, Mohammed Salahuddin Izhar