Ahead of the IPL season, nine well-known cricket pundits on Star Sports were asked to predict the four teams that would make it to the playoffs. Big names like Faf du Plessis, Irfan Pathan, and Aakash Chopra shared their picks.
There was only one common factor across all nine predictions:
Every single one included Mumbai Indians.
No other team enjoyed that kind of unanimous backing.
And honestly, it made sense.
A Squad That Looked Unstoppable on Paper
If you looked at Mumbai’s lineup before the season began, it was almost impossible to imagine them missing out on the playoffs.
The core of the team featured T20 World Cup winners like:
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Jasprit Bumrah
Add to that a mix of international stars and exciting prospects like Trent Boult and emerging talents, and this looked like a championship-winning squad.
But cricket isn’t played on paper.
A Season That Fell Apart Too Soon
Shockingly, Mumbai Indians’ fate was sealed even before the season fully unfolded. Even a miraculous run of wins from here wouldn’t realistically revive their playoff hopes.
For fans, the disappointment runs deep.
“This isn’t the Mumbai Indians we grew up watching,” is the common sentiment.
The CSK Rivalry Tells a Bigger Story
After their latest defeat to Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, the head-to-head record now stands at 21–20 in Mumbai’s favor.
But that stat hides a worrying trend.
Back in 2021, the record was 19–12. That means in the last five seasons, Mumbai has managed just one win against Chennai.
And this isn’t even a period where Chennai were completely dominant.
That puts Mumbai’s decline into perspective.
From Champions to Bottom of the Table
Since the IPL expanded to 10 teams in 2022, Mumbai Indians have statistically been one of the worst-performing sides.
- Finished last twice
- Failed to build consistency
- Struggled across departments
There’s no single logical explanation—but the numbers don’t lie.
Match Recap: Another Missed Opportunity
In their recent clash:
- A promising partnership between Ryan Rickelton and others gave Mumbai momentum
- Suryakumar Yadav finally looked in form
- At one point, Mumbai were well placed at 90/2
Then came the collapse.
Quick wickets, slowing run rate, and a lack of finishing power meant Mumbai could only post 159—a below-par score given the conditions.
Where It Went Wrong
1. Batting Without Cohesion
There were flashes of brilliance, but no collective performance. The batting unit functioned more like individuals than a team.
2. Hardik Pandya’s Finishing Struggles
As a finisher, Hardik Pandya couldn’t deliver consistently when it mattered most.
3. Overdependence on Bumrah
Mumbai’s bowling revolved almost entirely around Jasprit Bumrah.
When he performed, support was missing.
When he didn’t, there was no backup plan.
4. Lack of a Plan B
Both the captaincy and team management failed to adapt when things went wrong.
Meanwhile, Chennai Still Fighting
For Chennai Super Kings, this win kept their playoff hopes alive.
- 8 points from 9 matches
- 5 matches remaining
- Likely need 4–5 wins to qualify
With young players stepping up and guidance from coach Stephen Fleming, they still have a fighting chance.
But it won’t be easy—four teams have already reached 12 points.
The Bigger Picture: A Team in Need of Reinvention
Mumbai Indians can no longer rely on past glory.
This season has exposed deeper issues:
- Poor team balance
- Lack of clarity in roles
- No long-term strategy mid-season
The only way forward?
Rebuild. Reset. Transform.
A Fading “El Clásico”
What was once the IPL’s biggest rivalry now feels different.
With legends like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni no longer at the center of the action, the iconic clashes between Mumbai and Chennai feel like shadows of their former glory.
Final Thoughts
From unanimous title contenders to early disappointments, Mumbai Indians’ 2026 season has been nothing short of dramatic—for all the wrong reasons.
For a franchise built on dominance, this isn’t just a bad season.
It’s a wake-up call.
