Mumbai: Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop has said that the ongoing struggles of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2026 season cannot be blamed solely on captain Hardik Pandya, urging senior players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah to take greater responsibility.
Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after suffering six defeats in their first eight matches this season. The five-time champions are currently in a must-win situation, needing victories in all their remaining matches to keep their qualification chances alive.
Bishop backs Hardik amid criticism
Bishop, a respected voice in world cricket and a prominent commentator, highlighted that while Hardik has admitted to his own dip in form, the team’s underwhelming performances are a collective failure rather than an individual one.
“Their lack of success cannot be ascribed to one person. Hardik confessed his form needed to be better. Tactically, maybe he could operate a little differently. But he will need his big players to step up,” Bishop said during an interaction.
The MI captain has faced intense scrutiny this season, not only for his leadership decisions but also for his contributions with both bat and ball. However, Bishop stressed that even the best captain cannot succeed if the team’s key players fail to deliver consistently.
“As a captain, you can have all the plans, but if your players aren’t performing, you’re in trouble. Everyone is involved in this. I don’t think one person should take the blame,” he added.
Poor form of key players raises concerns
A major concern for Mumbai Indians this season has been the lack of impact from their star performers. Suryakumar Yadav, known for his explosive batting, has struggled to find rhythm, scoring just 162 runs in eight matches at an average of 20.
Similarly, Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, is enduring a rare slump. The pace spearhead has managed only two wickets in eight matches, marking one of the toughest phases of his IPL career.
The dip in performance from such experienced players has significantly affected the team’s balance and ability to close out matches, as seen in their recent defeat where they failed to defend a massive total of 243 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Fatigue after T20 World Cup triumph?
Bishop also pointed to possible fatigue among players following India’s successful ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. He suggested that key players like Bumrah and Suryakumar might have benefitted from a longer break before returning to franchise cricket.
“What Bumrah and Suryakumar put out to win the T20 World Cup at home must have been exhausting. Ideally, I would have liked to see them get some rest—to sit back, analyse, and fine-tune their skills,” Bishop noted.
The demanding cricket calendar often leaves little room for recovery, which can impact performance levels, especially for players involved across formats and tournaments.
Road ahead for Mumbai Indians
With six matches remaining, Mumbai Indians now face a daunting challenge. The team must win all their upcoming games to have any realistic chance of making it to the playoffs.
While the situation appears difficult, MI have a history of bouncing back from adverse positions in the IPL. However, a turnaround this season will require collective effort, improved performances from senior players, and sharper execution in both batting and bowling departments.
Conclusion
The spotlight may be firmly on Hardik Pandya, but as Ian Bishop rightly pointed out, cricket is a team sport where success and failure are shared. For Mumbai Indians to revive their campaign, their star players must rise to the occasion and complement their captain’s efforts in the crucial matches ahead.