Mumbai Indians officially out of IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]It is the end of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 as the five-time IPL champions are officially out of the playoff race after suffering a heartbreaking defeat against RCB on Sunday in Raipur.Both sides battled in a see-saw contest, but RCB kept their nerves and stole a last-ball finish, and it ended MI’s journey in the ongoing tournament, with the team losing 8 matches out of 11.Mumbai Indians officially crash out of IPL 2026Mumbai needed to win their remaining IPL matches to somehow stay alive in the playoff race, but RCB had some other plans. RCB won the toss and elected to field first, and the decision paid off as Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke MI’s backbone with the wickets of Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav.It was then followed by a partnership between Naman Dhir, and Tilak Varma, as the duo steadied the sinking MI ship.The pair added 82 runs, and pushed RCB on the back-foot before the home side roared back with a couple of wickets.MI couldn’t give the finishing touches as the side was restricted to 166. In reply, RCB suffered a huge jolt with Virat Kohli getting dismissed for yet another duck.The side also lost Rajat Patidar, and Devdutt Padikkal cheaply, as RCB lost three early wickets. However, Krunal Pandya, who was promoted at number 5, forged a partnership alongside Jacob Bethell. Pandya was the chief aggressor, as he completed his fifty, and was the lone warrior for his side.However, Krunal’s wicket towards the end spiced things up before a Bhuvneshwar Kumar six sealed the win in the last over, and it officially eliminated Mumbai Indians from the IPL 2026 playoff race.How Mumbai Indians have performed so far in IPL 2026On paper, the Mumbai Indians had the best lineup, with quality batters and bowlers. However, the game of cricket is not won on paper, but on the field, and Mumbai has failed to do so.On paper, the Mumbai Indians had the best lineup, with quality batters and bowlers. However, the game of cricket is not won on paper, but on the field, and Mumbai has failed to do so. The Hardik Pandya-led side started the IPL 2026 with a commanding win over KKR, and that gave them confidence.However, things went downhill after that as the side lost momentum, and the matches. The side then lost four in a row, and with each passing game, MI’s confidence crumbled as DC, RR, RCB, and PBKS inflicted heavy defeats.The side then defeated the Gujarat Titans, before losing three in a row, which dented their IPL playoff qualification hopes. They defeated LSG in the last game, followed by a close-fought loss vs RCB.Also Read: ELIMINATED! Rishabh Pant's Lucknow Super Giants Out Of IPL 2026MI's flop players in IPL 2026Several players have underperformed for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026. On top of the list is their pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. In 11 matches, Bumrah has looked a pale shadow of his former self, having picked up just 3 wickets, with an average of 109.67.His season has affected MI’s performance as the team has hardly taken wickets in the death overs. Apart from Bumrah, another senior player, Suryakumar Yadav has failed to deliver the goods.In 11 IPL games, SKY has only accumulated 195 runs, with an average of 17.73, and a strike rate of 144. Suryakumar’s inability to play quickfire knocks in the middle phase hampered the side as the team couldn’t accelerate when needed.Also Read: Varun Chakaravarthy Likely To Be Ruled Out Of RCB Vs KKR IPL 2026 Match
