IPL 2026 | 'Disappointing': MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene dissects campaign after RCB defeat
Mumbai Indians were knocked out of the IPL 2026 playoff race after a heartbreaking last-ball loss to RCB. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene admitted MI were “not good enough” and lacked consistency throughout the season. He defended youngster Raj Angad Bawa for bowling the tense final over and said injuries and forced team changes hurt Mumbai’s campaign as RCB climbed to the top of the table.
Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 playoff hopes officially ended after their heartbreaking last-ball loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and head coach Mahela Jayawardene admitted the team simply was not good enough this season. Mumbai posted 166/7 after recovering from early trouble, but Krunal Pandya’s fighting 73 kept RCB alive in the chase. The game went down to the final over with Bengaluru needing 15 runs.
Youngster Raj Angad Bawa was handed the responsibility, and although he picked up the wicket of Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar smashed a crucial six before a lucky deflection helped RCB complete a dramatic two-wicket win. Despite the painful finish, Jayawardene defended the decision to trust Bawa in such a high-pressure moment. “All our experienced bowlers were done with their quota and we only had a few spinners left.
Surya backed himself while Raj is also a decent bowler,” Jayawardene said. “He stuck to his line and picked the wicket of (Romario) Shepherd. He too was under pressure.
We fought well; it was a game of margins. ” After suffering their eighth defeat in 11 matches, Mumbai Indians are now officially out of the playoff race. Jayawardene admitted the team failed to deliver consistently throughout the season.