Mumbai Indians (MI) are currently going through a tough phase in the ongoing IPL 2026 and now their bowling is becoming a big headache. The 18-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their home match has clearly exposed the weak points of Mumbai Indians.
The five-time IPL champions have posed a tough challenge with the bat, but the bowlers had already done the damage as they bowled out RCB for 240 runs in the IPL 2026 game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Nevertheless, they managed to score 222/5 in their 20 overs.
MI’s bowling failure exposed after RCB defeat
Their poor bowling is now becoming a major concern for the franchise this season, and they will now have to take some tough decisions to get their campaign back on track, as they have won only one game out of their four matches so far in the tournament.
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After the match, former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra raised questions on the bowling strategy of Mumbai Indians. He also felt that Mayank Markande’s place in the playing eleven is now under serious threat. Actually, Markande’s innings was very bad, he gave 40 runs in just 2 overs and could not take even a single wicket.
Aakash Chopra raised questions on the strategy of Mumbai Indians
The cricket pundit also pointed out that the top bowlers are also struggling, as Jasprit Bumrah has been economical but has not been taking wickets, while Trent Boult has been expensive with the new ball. Due to their poor performance, the batting was not good enough and they lost three consecutive games.
Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “Mumbai’s bowling is looking absolutely brilliant. It’s been four matches and so far Jasprit Bumrah has not taken a single wicket. Of course, his economy is still in single digits and he is the only bowler whose economy is in single digits, but still he has not got a single wicket. Teams have started playing him cautiously because everyone else has got 12 to 15 wickets per over. Runs are being hit.”
Chopra hits out at MI’s weak bowling unit in IPL 2026
With the bowling unit looking “pedestrian”, Chopra believes that MI may need to take a bold decision and bring in a new option like Raghu Sharma for the upcoming matches, as they are currently eighth in the IPL 2026 points table. He feels that Markandey has already played his last game for MI.
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Chopra said, “Trent Boult had a good finish but he is getting hit with the new ball. Hardik Pandya bowled really well in this match. Mayank Markande, I think he has played his last game for this month. They can think about him next month. Play Raghu Sharma. If you look at Shardul Thakur, he definitely takes wickets, but not less than 10 to 12 runs an over.” Let’s give.”
Chopra blames poor bowling for Mumbai Indians’ struggles
The commentator also highlighted the struggles of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma so far in the tournament. Finally, Chopra said for the MI batsmen that if the bowlers give away 240 runs, it becomes almost impossible to win, and that can happen only a few times.
The former KKR batsman also praised Sherfane Rutherford, Hardik Pandya and Ryan Rickelton for their late hitting but blamed the bowling for their struggles in the ongoing IPL 2026.
