Mumbai Indians’ middle-order is already struggling to score runs at a promising rate, and now Suryakumar Yadav’s poor condition has added to that major concern.
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have been struggling with a trophy drought for the last five seasons and this sixth season is also a big opportunity for captain Hardik Pandya, who has taken over the command from Rohit Sharma but has not been able to make a big impact on Mumbaikars so far.
Talking about their batting ability, MI’s main strength in the last successful season was in their middle order. The openers had contributed from time to time, but the middle order would be their most consistent match-winning pack. One of the assets of this middle order, even till last season, was Suryakumar Yadav.
Suryakumar Yadav’s failure and poor form has been the biggest batting concern for Mumbai Indians, as they have failed to carry on at a promising pace in that middle stage and hence have fallen short of the target or projected score by close margins.
Three reasons why Suryakumar Yadav was dropped by Mumbai Indians:
3. Lean patch increased after T20 World Cup
Suryakumar Yadav made a great start to 2026 against New Zealand. He had a poor spell throughout 2025, where his average dropped to less than 15 in 21 innings for India. However, after a promising IPL 2025, he retained his place in the Indian T20I team, and after a promising New Zealand series, he entered the ICC T20 World Cup with his head held high.
When Suryakumar came out of the World Cup, he had that trophy in his hand; However, what was not being ignored was his poor batting. He has struggled to score runs and has maintained his weak position in the IPL.
Playing 8 games for MI this season, he has scored 162 runs for the franchise and averages only 20.25 after finishing with 717 runs last season. He has only one half-century to his name this season, which came in the second game against Delhi, which started MI’s losing streak this season.
2. Mumbai Indians need to improve their middle-order
Mumbai Indians have struggled in the middle stages. Although Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, or Ryan Rickelton, any of these players have given them starts on a few occasions, the middle order has been disastrous.
The middle order plays a very important role, which was evident in the match against Gujarat Titans, where Tilak Verma scored a brilliant century after being slightly promoted in the batting order.
Suryakumar Yadav’s exit may help MI get Tilak Verma back at number one. 3 position, a batting role where he has produced some of his best performances. It could also mean that MI can use their overseas batting depth more strategically, and try more combinations.
1. Suryakumar is not keeping pace with the in-form batsmen.
Not all the batsmen of MI team are out of form, as De Kock has already scored a century and young Tilak Verma has also scored a century. While Rohit made a good start to the season, Ryan Rickelton has been on the attack at times for Mumbai Indians. Naman Dheer has also been in good touch on several occasions when he has been sent in early.
However, coming in between these players, Suryakumar Yadav has failed to bring momentum to the game. His only half-century this season came at a strike rate of 145, while his strike rate during chases has dropped to a record low of 130.
Even in the last game against Chennai Super Kings, where he scored at a very poor strike rate, it mattered in the game. The loss against RCB by just 18 runs was further highlighted when Surya batted much slower than the other batsmen in that XI. Therefore, he may no longer be suitable in that eleven and needs a bit of a change of pace.
Also Read: Revealed: Why Mumbai Indians players are wearing black armbands in today’s match against SRH in IPL 2026
