Mumbai Indians are no strangers to a slow start in the IPL. Despite their history of taking time to find their rhythm, they broke a 13-year streak by winning their season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. However, this victory was short-lived as they went on to lose their next four games.
The team, led by Hardik Pandya, has struggled to find its ideal playing XI with constant changes in the batting order and an unsettled bowling set-up. Injuries to key players like Hardik and Rohit Sharma have further disrupted the team’s balance.
MI’s batting unit has been inconsistent, with no player featuring in the top 30 run-getters list. While openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit have shown promise, others like Tilak Varma have struggled to make an impact.
Despite a decent run rate of 10.26, MI’s generosity with the ball has cost them dearly, conceding 11.34 runs per over – the highest in IPL history. Jasprit Bumrah, usually a key wicket-taker, has surprisingly gone wicketless in the first five games.
After a defeat to Punjab Kings, Hardik acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and the need for a turnaround. With a playoff spot looking distant, MI will need to regroup and bounce back from their current crisis.
Published on Apr 20, 2026.
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