with Mumbai Indians (MI) The former South African all-rounder is struggling at the bottom of the points table shaun pollack have cited three senior players as the biggest reasons behind their disappointing performance in the IPL 2026 season so far.
Notably, Mumbai Indians’ journey to IPL 2026 has not been very easy, with the five-time champions finding themselves in deep trouble midway through the league stage. With just two wins from seven matches, MI are at the bottom of the standings and have no time to turn things around.
Injuries, poor form and repeated failures in crucial moments have badly hurt the team. Rohit SharmaMatters were further complicated by a hamstring injury, as the experienced opener missed the last three matches, all of which ended in defeat. while captain hardik pandya Despite trying to put things together, Mumbai are looking far from their best.
Shaun Pollock questions MI’s reliable bowling corps
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Pollock said that Mumbai had entered the tournament expecting their experienced bowling trio to be match-winners, but things went in the opposite direction.
According to Pollock three stars – Trent Boult, Shardul ThakurAnd Deepak Chahar – He was believed to be a reliable option who would control the game, especially in the powerplay and death overs. Instead, his lack of impact has left MI exposed at crucial moments.
“Their three key bowling options – Boult, Thakur and Chahar have disappointed them. They would have considered them bankers before the season. The 11 they are playing with now is a far cry from the 11 they would have picked immediately after the auction. That’s probably the biggest surprise.” Pollock said.
He pointed out that these were players the franchise would have considered “bankers” before the season started, making their disappointing performance even more surprising.
Pollock also said that the current playing XI looks very different from the one Mumbai would ideally have chosen immediately after the auction, which shows how injuries and poor form have disrupted their plans. He further said that MI seems to have too many options, which has led to confusion rather than clarity. He pointed out that the depth of the team should be a strength, but in the case of Mumbai, this often leads to uncertainty in selection.
“It feels like they have a lot of options. And that’s been the case for the last four or five years. If they get to the playoffs, they can prepare with all the international and playoff experience. But for that to happen, they have to win this match first. The complexity for them comes because they have the strength. That’s why Rickleton hasn’t played since De Kock scored his century,” added the former Proteas captain.
CSK’s heavy defeat highlights deeper problems
Mumbai’s latest setback came in the form of a crushing 103-run defeat against Chennai Super Kings, which resulted in major concerns with both batting and bowling.
Their powerplay returns have been the worst in the tournament, while the middle order has failed to create consistent momentum. Even Jasprit Bumrah, usually MI’s biggest weapon, suffered an unusual lean spell at the start of the season before showing signs of recovery. Franchise also had to be brought Keshav Maharaj as replacement for the injured michel santnerAdding another layer of instability to the squad.
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What should MI do next to revive their campaign?
To revive their campaign, Mumbai will now have to play every remaining game like a knockout match. Another defeat could virtually put a lock on their playoff hopes. Rohit’s possible return as an impact player could be a big boost to the top order. His presence alone can help settle a batting unit that is lacking confidence.
There is also growing support for Jasprit Bumrah to use the new ball. This strategy worked well against Gujarat Titans when they gave MI the early momentum by striking on the very first ball. Meanwhile, Hardik is under pressure as both captain and all-rounder. His form with the bat and some questionable bowling decisions in the death overs have been criticized.
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