MI’s IPL 2026 has not been one to write home about. After eight games, MI have two wins and six defeats. They are in 9th place with 28 matches left in the league phase. MI will take on CSK on May 2 next. The wins need to come or else the Playoffs will be no more than a dream. MI are still in contention but only just.

Hardik Pandya Says It’s a Collective Failure

In the wake of the six-wicket loss vs SRH where MI failed to defend a target of 244, skipper Hardik Pandya refused to throw the bowlers under the bus. He said that the performance in IPL 2026 is not what MI are known for and added that it did hurt. But he maintained that the blame lay with the unit as a whole.

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“I won’t put my bowlers under the bus. I think as an overall unit, we have not been able to do what exactly Mumbai Indians stands for,” he said.

Hardik Pandya Reflects on the Season So Far

"It’s been that kind of season. When you get a ⁠couple of chances, you grab them, that’s when ⁠luck and momentum changes," he added.

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“If you don’t, it kind of hurts you, but it’s still fine, all the boys tried really well,” he continued.

MI’s Dismal IPL 2026

MI have used as many as 22 players this season, the most by any franchise. One more defeat virtually knocks them out of the Playoffs race. Even if they win all the six games left, other results and Net Run Rate can also come into play. We shall know by May 24 which four teams are through. The final is on May 31.