Mumbai Indians are going through a difficult phase in IPL 2026 after a strong start to the season. The team began the tournament with an impressive win against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, but their form has dropped since then.
MI have now lost three matches in a row, which has pushed them down the points table. Their next match against Punjab Kings at Wankhede is seen as a very important game for Hardik Pandya’s team.
Ravichandran Ashwin Questions Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy
Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently spoke about Hardik Pandya’s captaincy during the MI vs RCB match. He pointed out a key moment in the first innings that he believes changed the direction of the game.
When Rajat Patidar came to the crease, Hardik Pandya introduced leg-spinner Mayank Markande into the attack. According to Ashwin, this decision allowed Patidar to attack freely because he is known for playing spin well.
During the 12th over, Patidar dominated the bowling and hit three consecutive sixes off Markande. One of those shots included a switch hit over the point region, which impressed fans but also shifted momentum strongly in RCB’s favor.
By the end of the over, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had reached 144 for 1 in just 12 overs.
Ashwin compared the moment with a similar situation from IPL 2024 where Patidar had also attacked Markande. Because of that history, he felt the decision to bowl Markande again was not the best choice.
He strongly criticized the captaincy decision and described it as very average. According to him, this moment helped RCB push their total much higher, which later made the difference in the match.
RCB Continue Strong Batting Form
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have looked strong with the bat this season. Their aggressive batting performances have helped them win most of their matches.
At the moment, RCB have three wins and are placed third on the points table with a net run rate of +1.148.
So far, their only defeat this season came against Rajasthan Royals. The team will next face Lucknow Super Giants at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Also See : Highest Successful Run Chases at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Injury Concerns During the Match
The MI vs RCB match also saw injury concerns for both teams.
Virat Kohli did not take the field in the second innings due to an ankle issue. On the other side, Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma retired hurt during the chase after suffering a hamstring injury.
These injuries created additional pressure for both teams during the final stages of the game.
Current Situation of MI and RCB
| Team | Recent Form | Current Position | Next Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | Started with a win, then lost three matches in a row | 8th | vs Punjab Kings |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Strong batting form, only one loss | 3rd | vs Lucknow Super Giants |
Mumbai Indians now face an important match against Punjab Kings. The team will want to stop their losing streak and return to winning ways.
Another defeat could push them further down the table and make the road to the playoffs more difficult.
Fans will also be watching closely to see whether Hardik Pandya changes his strategy after the criticism and whether MI can improve their performance in the upcoming games.
