After winning just 4 of their 14 matches, MI avoided last place on the points table only because of their superior net run rate in comparison to that of the Lucknow Super Giants.
MI had an auspicious start to the season when they won their season-opener after a gap of 14 years, but that was exactly where it stopped. MI lost each of their next four matches, and they were suddenly in trouble.
The last ball nail-biting loss to RCB in Raipur confirmed the team's elimination for the third time in the last five IPL seasons. The team that won five trophies in the space of 8 seasons between 2013 and 2020 has now gone 6 seasons in a row without one.
Jasprit Bumrah was revealed to be playing through an injury, while both Mitchell Santner and Quinton de Kock were ruled out for the entire season.
Ashwin analyses MI's problems
Ashwin started with the big elephant in the room - Jasprit Bumrah. In 13 matches, Bumrah took just 4 wickets this year and had a bowling average of 102.50. The worst for any bowler in a single T20 tournament, let alone the IPL.
Ashwin also said that the Mumbai Indians might look to part ways with Trent Boult despite the 'One Family' epithet. Boult joined MI in 2025 for the price of INR 12.50 crores.
Boult, too, did not fare any better in the tournament and was eventually dropped from the playing XI. In five matches, the Kiwi southpaw took just 2 wickets at a bowling average of 94 and an economy rate of over 11.
"It could be an injury" - Ashwin on Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya made just 206 runs in 10 matches at an average of 22.89 and a strike rate of 138. With the ball, he took just 4 wickets at an average of almost 65 and an economy of almost 11.5.
"Hardik used to bat at No. 4 and No. 5 for Gujarat Titans. He used to take down the spinners. But this time, it looks like he has a small problem with the hard length ball. I don't know why. It could be fatigue or injury," Ashwin said.
"This Mumbai Indians team seemed a bit strange. It cannot be easy. With the quality they have, maybe they can play well next year. But I won't be surprised if they also find it hard for one more year. It looks like a lot of people are not at their best. I was surprised this year, but I wouldn't be if they give a middling performance next year," he added.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma ignored!: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav honoured amid IPL 2026
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