Mumbai: Mumbai Indians slumped to their third consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, going down by 18 runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-scoring encounter that exposed both batting and bowling concerns.
Speaking on Star Sports’ ‘Amul Cricket Live’, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar pointed to a crucial phase in the chase where Mumbai lost momentum.
“At one stage, it looked like Mumbai Indians would struggle to even reach 200. After Rohit Sharma’s retirement and the dismissals of Rickelton and Tilak Varma in the same over, they went into a shell and couldn’t break free,” Gavaskar observed.
He noted that Mumbai needed at least 12 more runs during that phase to stay aligned with the required rate but failed to accelerate. “Even while rotating strike, the required rate kept climbing. As Hardik Pandya mentioned, both their batting and bowling Powerplays are not delivering the control needed,” he added.
Patidar’s Confidence Driving RCB
Gavaskar also highlighted the transformation in Rajat Patidar’s leadership and batting.
“Last year, captaining RCB for the first time, there may have been some nerves—especially with someone like Virat Kohli in the side. But this season, after winning the title, he looks far more settled. He’s playing with complete freedom, and the range of shots he’s executing all around the ground has been outstanding,” he said.
MI’s Bowling Over-Reliant on Bumrah
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis offered a sharp assessment of Mumbai’s bowling unit, stressing the overdependence on Jasprit Bumrah.
“In games where totals cross 250, you have to look at what the rest of the attack is conceding beyond Bumrah’s four overs. Those overs are usually economical, but what happens around them is the real concern,” du Plessis explained.
He emphasised the need for Mumbai to maximise Bumrah’s impact strategically while also strengthening the rest of the bowling unit. “They need to reassess—whether it’s tactical adjustments in the Powerplay or even changes in personnel—because against strong batting line-ups, it won’t get easier,” he said.
Rutherford’s Rise Continues
Du Plessis also praised Sherfane Rutherford for his continued consistency in T20 cricket.
“He’s been excellent over the past year and a half, and performances like this don’t surprise anymore. He’s worked on his weaknesses and looks far more assured now,” he noted.
Crucial Phase Ahead for Mumbai
With three losses on the trot, Mumbai Indians now face mounting pressure to address both their Powerplay inefficiencies and middle-over execution. While Bumrah remains a dependable force, the lack of support from the rest of the bowling attack and inconsistent batting phases are emerging as key concerns.
Meanwhile, fans can gear up for another exciting clash as Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals in today’s IPL 2026 Rivalry Week fixture at 7:30 PM, live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.
