Mumbai: Despite enduring four consecutive defeats in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, the Mumbai Indians dressing room remained upbeat, thanks largely to skipper Hardik Pandya, pacer Ashwani Kumar revealed after their emphatic win over Gujarat Titans.

Positive mindset amid tough phase

Mumbai Indians snapped their losing streak with a dominant 99-run victory, but the journey leading up to the win was marked by internal resilience rather than panic.

Speaking after the match, Ashwani Kumar highlighted that the team environment remained constructive throughout the slump.

“The atmosphere was very good. There was only positive talk in our dressing room. No matter if we go up or down, there was only positivity,” he said.

Hardik’s leadership under scrutiny

Hardik Pandya has been under intense scrutiny this season, with critics questioning his captaincy and individual performances. However, Ashwani’s remarks suggest that behind the scenes, the all-rounder played a key role in keeping the squad united.

Even during the winless run, the focus remained on backing players and maintaining belief within the group.

Tilak Varma and Ashwani lead turnaround

Mumbai’s revival was powered by a stunning century from Tilak Varma, who rescued the team after another top-order collapse.

With the ball, Ashwani Kumar delivered a match-winning performance, picking up four crucial wickets—including Shubman Gill, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan and Rashid Khan—to dismantle Gujarat’s batting line-up.

Execution backed by planning

Ashwani also revealed that he had studied Gujarat’s batters beforehand and worked closely with Pandya to adapt plans based on match conditions.

“I had studied the batsmen, but once I saw what the wicket demanded, I consulted with the captain and adjusted accordingly,” he explained.

MI climb but challenges remain

With the victory, Mumbai Indians moved up to seventh place on the points table, registering two wins from six matches. While the result marks a turning point, the team still faces an uphill battle to break into the top four.

Conclusion

Mumbai Indians’ dressing room unity during adversity has now translated into results on the field. With renewed confidence and momentum, MI will look to build on this win and keep their IPL 2026 campaign alive.