After their six defeats in the season, Mumbai Indians have now entered a crucial ‘win’ phase for the remainder of the season. The Hardik Pandya-led side will have to win all their remaining matches in the season as the margin of error has effectively been eliminated.
Mumbai Indians managed to make a good start to the season and their 13-year long wait in the IPL ended as they finally managed to win the opening match of the season. However, in this span of 13 years, Mumbai Indians have been successful in winning five titles.
However, all of these titles were under captain Rohit Sharma, and none under the leadership of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who took over the reins from the veteran star ahead of the IPL 2024 season. After starting the season with 6 losses, they are now in a do or die situation.
Poor performance of Mumbai Indians in this edition of IPL 2026
Mumbai Indians were knocked out of IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 by last season’s runners-up Punjab Kings. They then started the season with a win at their home ground Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai started with a tremendous win against Knight Riders.
In their second game, MI lost the match to Delhi Capitals, who chased the target with ease. After this, Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai in a rain-affected match. This losing streak continued when they lost a high-scoring game against the defending champions at the same venue at the Wankhede Stadium.
In their next three matches, they lost two matches each to Punjab Kings and their arch-rivals, Chennai Super Kings, which was a major blow to their net run rate, despite a big 99-run win against Gujarat Titans, which gave them the last two points of this season.
Mumbai Indians’ qualification scenario for the remaining part of IPL 2026
MI have lost six of the eight matches they have played so far in this season of the competition. Currently placed 9th in the IPL 2026 points table, they have no more margin for error as they must win six matches this season.
For qualification, they will need at least 16 points in the season, and having only 4 points so far, they will have to secure 12 points in the remaining six games. Now, the net run-rate will also be needed this season, especially after that big defeat against Chennai Super Kings.
Remaining programs for MI:
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02 May: vs Chennai Super Kings (Away – Chepauk)
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04 May: vs Lucknow Super Giants (Home – Wankhede)
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10 May: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (Away – Raipur)
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14 May: vs Punjab Kings (Away – Dharamshala)
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20 May: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Away – Eden Gardens)
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24 May: vs Rajasthan Royals (Home – Wankhede)
Mumbai’s historic change in the history of IPL
Although Mumbai Indians are not mathematically out of the competition yet, they will have to play the remainder of this season as if it is a knockout for the rest of the season. Only an ideal winning streak of 6 games can guide them.
Mumbai Indians have made several historic changes in the history of the competition. He has achieved many impossible successes in the Indian Premier League. In 2014, they qualified for the playoffs despite losing the first five games with Aditya Tare’s famous six.
The very next year, the Rohit Sharma-led team won its second title after starting the season with five losses in its first 6 matches. Given the team’s history and legacy, they may not be immediately selected as the elimination team.
Also Read: “Support my bowlers”: Hardik Pandya supports Mumbai Indians bowlers after crushing defeat against SRH in IPL 2026
