Desk of Contents
Former India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin lately sat right down to analyse what went incorrect with the Mumbai Indians and their star-studded line-up in IPL 2026.
After profitable simply 4 of their 14 matches, MI prevented final place on the factors desk solely due to their superior web run charge compared to that of the Lucknow Tremendous Giants.
The Hardik Pandya-led franchise did not recreate the magic of final 12 months, when the workforce recovered from profitable simply 1 of their first 5 matches to profitable 7 of their final 9 (together with 6 in a row) and certified for the playoffs. In truth, MI made it so far as Qualifier 2.
Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026
MI had an auspicious begin to the season after they received their season-opener after a spot of 14 years, however that was precisely the place it stopped. MI misplaced every of their subsequent 4 matches, they usually have been all of a sudden in hassle.
A win in opposition to the Gujarat Titans was flanked by a second dropping streak of three matches on the opposite aspect. MI have been working out of time and easily by no means discovered it.
The final ball nail-biting loss to RCB in Raipur confirmed the workforce’s elimination for the third time within the final 5 IPL seasons. The workforce that received 5 trophies within the house of 8 seasons between 2013 and 2020 has now gone 6 seasons in a row with out one.
In 2026, accidents additionally performed their half in stopping the Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma missed matches within the center due to a toe and a hamstring damage. Hardik Pandya missed two matches close to the tip due to a again spasm.
Jasprit Bumrah was revealed to be enjoying via an damage, whereas each Mitchell Santner and Quinton de Kock have been dominated out for all the season.
Ashwin analyses MI’s issues
Ravichandran Ashwin took to his YouTube channel and analysed all of the issues that went proper and incorrect for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.
Ashwin began with the massive elephant within the room – Jasprit Bumrah. In 13 matches, Bumrah took simply 4 wickets this 12 months and had a bowling common of 102.50. The worst for any bowler in a single T20 match, not to mention the IPL.
“That is the primary time within the historical past of IPL {that a} bowler has averaged over 100 after enjoying the complete season, and that is Jasprit Bumrah. I do not suppose anyone would have believed me if I had stated this earlier than the season,” Ashwin stated.
Ashwin additionally stated that the Mumbai Indians may look to half methods with Trent Boult regardless of the ‘One Household’ epithet. Boult joined MI in 2025 for the worth of INR 12.50 crores.
“I believe they are going to launch Trent Boult to unlock their purse. That I’m very positive of. However other than that, what different adjustments can they make? It is vitally dangerous as a result of you’ve got gamers with a pedigree, and in the event that they wish to play, leaving them is just not a simple resolution. Mumbai Indians’ tag line is ‘One Household’, they usually observe that,” he added.
Boult, too, didn’t fare any higher within the match and was finally dropped from the enjoying XI. In 5 matches, the Kiwi southpaw took simply 2 wickets at a bowling common of 94 and an economic system charge of over 11.
“It could possibly be an damage” – Ashwin on Hardik Pandya
Ashwin additionally went on to specify what he thought was the rationale for Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s poor kind within the match.
Hardik Pandya made simply 206 runs in 10 matches at a median of twenty-two.89 and a strike charge of 138. With the ball, he took simply 4 wickets at a median of just about 65 and an economic system of just about 11.5.
Ashwin stated that fatigue and/or damage could possibly be the rationale why Pandya was unable to return to his spin-hitting type of the previous few years.
“Hardik used to bat at No. 4 and No. 5 for Gujarat Titans. He used to take down the spinners. However this time, it seems like he has a small drawback with the exhausting size ball. I do not know why. It could possibly be fatigue or damage,” Ashwin stated.
He additionally delivered his prediction for the Mumbai Indians’ efficiency in IPL 2027. Ashwin stated that he would not be shocked if MI did not carry out within the match subsequent 12 months.
“This Mumbai Indians workforce appeared a bit unusual. It can’t be simple. With the standard they’ve, perhaps they will play nicely subsequent 12 months. However I will not be shocked if additionally they discover it exhausting for another 12 months. It seems like lots of people aren’t at their greatest. I used to be shocked this 12 months, however I would not be if they offer a middling efficiency subsequent 12 months,” he added.
Additionally Learn: Rohit Sharma ignored!: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav honoured amid IPL 2026
