Mumbai Indians have been going through a tough phase in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, and they are among the bottom sides in the points table. Mumbai’s latest defeat came against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday, where the best out of their top players, like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, etc., were all struggling. And, Head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed these concerns in the press conference after the match as well.

While Bumrah only has three wickets to his name in nine matches so far in the IPL 2026, Suryakumar Yadav has scored at an average of 20, and Tilak Varma aggregates roughly 24 runs a game. Jayawardene, however, backed the team’s top players, saying that it is only a matter of time before someone like Suryakumar returns to top form as well.

“I don’t think his output is down; if he gets a few scores together I think he’ll find that rhythm. He played really well today for that period, really took on the bowlers in that phase. I think another couple of overs he could have been off for a really good score. Sometimes when things are not going your way it doesn’t fall in place; I think it was a pretty good shot went straight to the fielder. He’s definitely up for it, I think he’s in a good space, it just that hasn’t worked like the amount of times he’s got caught on the boundary this season with some of those shots. It’s just a matter of time but I think he himself is disappointed but just have to keep on working harder,” he again said.

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On Tilak Varma, Mahela Jayawardene also said that the batter is still learning how to play his game in the T20 format as well.

“Tilak Varma is also still learning and playing different roles that he’s been asked to play. T20 cricket is not that easy, I think the more he plays different situations he’ll understand what he needs to do… handling situations, being bit more proactive in thinking what we need to do in those situations is something he’ll find,” added Jayawardene.

Meanwhile, bowling has been one of their biggest problems this season, and Jasprit Bumrah’s poor form also cost them.

“It’s not just Booms; it’s a collective effort from all the bowlers. When everyone’s working together and you’re picking up wickets here and there, that helps Bumrah to be bit more aggressive as well rather than doing a holding job. Everyone tends to have a slow season, but class is always permanent,” Mahela Jayawardene concluded.