Jayawardene blames powerplay lapses for MI's dismal IPL 2026 start

Mumbai Indians' inconsistent bowling and batting in powerplays have left them with just two wins in seven IPL 2026 matches, sitting near the bottom of the table.

Coach's assessment of MI's struggles Mahela Jayawardene, head coach of Mumbai Indians, described their IPL 2026 campaign as inconsistent with patches of brilliance but major shortcomings in execution. He pointed out a clear gap in their bowling attack, which has been further complicated by injuries and illnesses among players. Despite some decent performances in segments of matches, the team has failed to maintain consistency throughout. Currently sitting with two wins from seven games, MI have a five-day break to reassess their strategies before their next fixture. ## Bowling woes and powerplay failures Jayawardene highlighted that Mumbai Indians have conceded the highest economy rate of 10.52 runs per over among all teams this season, while their 34 wickets taken so far rank third-lowest. Jasprit Bumrah, their primary wicket-taking bowler, has managed just two dismissals in seven appearances, though he has remained economical. The team's struggles have been most pronounced in the powerplay, where they have often conceded between ten to thirteen runs in the first over. To address this, MI have experimented with using Bumrah in the powerplay, even opening the bowling in the last two matches, despite his usual role being reserved for later overs. ## CSK's dominance and MI's lowest powerplay score During their 103-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians managed just 73 runs for two wickets in the powerplay, their lowest total in that phase against CSK in IPL history. Meanwhile, CSK amassed 29 runs for three wickets in the same phase, their second-highest powerplay score against MI. Akeal Hosein's tight bowling in the powerplay made it difficult for MI to recover during their chase of 208 runs. Jayawardene admitted that losing both the powerplay phases with bat and ball left them unable to compete in the match. ## Santner's concussion and Thakur's substitution Mitchell Santner's injury during a diving catch attempt raised concerns as he walked off holding his shoulder, later reporting dizziness after hitting his head and neck. Mumbai Indians used a concussion substitute rule to bring in Shardul Thakur after Santner underwent a scan that revealed instability. The team requested the substitution, which was approved by the match referee and umpires. Jayawardene noted Santner's disappointment at being replaced but acknowledged the medical protocol's necessity. ## Ghazanfar's standout spell and young spinner's promise Despite MI's heavy loss, AM Ghazanfar delivered a commendable performance, returning figures of 2 for 25 while CSK scored at over ten runs per over. Ghazanfar made an impact in the powerplay by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube in the ninth over. Jayawardene praised the young bowler's maturity and strategic approach, emphasizing his ability to perform across different phases of the game. He also acknowledged the strong bowling from CSK's spinners, particularly Akeal Hosein, while stressing the need for MI to back Ghazanfar consistently. ## Next challenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad Mumbai Indians will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their upcoming match at Wankhede Stadium on April 29. The team aims to regroup during their five-day break and address their powerplay vulnerabilities. Jayawardene emphasized the importance of building on the positives while striving for consistency in execution. The focus remains on improving their bowling combinations and maintaining stability in the powerplay phases.