IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians battle pesky ‘slow starters’ tag as RCB comes calling

When Mumbai Indians set off for back-to-back away fixtures ten days ago, there was a sense of renewed optimism. The long-standing jinx of opening-game defeats had finally been broken, and the early signs hinted at momentum. But as it returns to familiar surroundings for Sunday night’s marquee Indian Premier League clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the mood is likely more subdued than buoyant.

The tag of ‘slow starters’ has resurfaced. Hardik Pandya and Co. have dropped both their away games, and the concern is less about the batting star power and more about a bowling unit that is yet to click. Across three matches, Mumbai Indians’ bowlers have managed only 11 wickets combined — a telling statistic that underlines their struggles. More worrying is that, barring Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner (who has featured in only one game), every other bowler has conceded at an economy rate in double digits.

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That lack of control has inevitably placed additional pressure on the batting unit. While the batters have shown flashes of form, they have not quite managed to dominate on the road. Against that backdrop, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will sense an opportunity to breach the Wankhede Stadium fortress.

RCB’s batting has largely been in rhythm, notwithstanding the middle-overs stutter against Rajasthan Royals on Friday night. The return of Krunal Pandya to face his former franchise, with younger brother Hardik leading the opposition, adds an intriguing sub-plot to a contest already headlined by the ever-compelling Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli duel.

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Krunal’s crafty left-arm spin played a key role in dragging RCB back into the contest after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s onslaught on Friday. On a surface he knows well, the allrounder will be keen to build on that performance.

While MI will be fretting over Mitchell Santner’s fitness, RCB faces a selection call. Rookie pacer Abhinandan Singh has been expensive in the first three games, and the think-tank may consider turning to Rasikh Dar, last season’s trusted death-overs option, for added control at the back-end.

Published on Apr 11, 2026