Mumbai Indians, after their six losses in the season, have now entered a critical ‘must win’ phase for the remainder of the season. The team led by Hardik Pandya will have to win all the remaining games of the season, as the margin for error has practically disappeared.

Mumbai Indians managed to start the season well, ending their 13-year wait in the IPL when they finally managed to win the opening match of the season. However, Mumbai Indians have managed to win five titles in this span of 13 years.

However, all these titles were under captain Rohit Sharma, and none were under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder who took the reins from the veteran star ahead of the IPL 2024 season. Having started the season with 6 losses, they are now in a do-or-die stage.

The poor performance of the Mumbai Indians in this edition of IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians were eliminated from IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 by last season’s runners-up Punjab Kings. They then started this season with a win at their Wankhede stadium. Mumbai started with a big win against the Knight Riders.

In their second game, MI lost the match to Delhi Capitals who chased down the target with ease. This was followed by Rajasthan Royals who defeated the Mumbai team in a rain-affected match. This losing streak continued when they lost a high-scoring match against the defending champions at this very venue at the Wankhede Stadium.

In their next three games, they lost two matches to Punjab Kings and arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings, which was a big impact on their net run rate, despite the huge 99-run win against Gujarat Titans, which earned them the last two points of this season.

Mumbai Indians qualification scenario for the rest of IPL 2026

MI has lost six games of the eight it has played so far in this season of the competition. Currently in ninth position in the IPL 2026 points table, they have no more margin for error with six matches left to win this season.

To qualify, they would need at least 16 points in the season, and with only 4 points for now, they need to secure 12 points in the rest of the six games. Now, a net run rate would also be necessary in this season, especially after that massive loss against the Chennai Super Kings.

Remaining schedule for MI:

• May 2: vs Chennai Super Kings (away – Chepauk)

• May 4: vs Lucknow Super Giants (Home – Wankhede)

• May 10: vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Away – Raipur)

• May 14: vs Punjab Kings (away – Dharamshala)

• May 20: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (away – Eden Gardens)

• May 24: vs Rajasthan Royals (Home – Wankhede)

Mumbai’s historic changes in IPL history

While Mumbai Indians are not yet mathematically eliminated from the competition, they will have to play the rest of this season as if it were the knockouts of the rest of the season. A perfect 6-game winning streak is what can guide them.

Mumbai Indians have achieved several historic changes in the history of the competition. They have pulled off several impossible escapes in the Indian Premier League. Back in 2014, they qualified for the playoffs with that famous Aditya Tare six despite losing the first five matches.

The following year, the Rohit Sharma-led team won the second title after having started the season with five losses in their first 6 games of the season. Witnessing the team’s history and legacy, they cannot be immediately considered eliminated.

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