Mumbai Indians' defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday confirmed the end of their disappointing chapter in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026, with the five-time champions now set to play for pride in their remaining games. Their dreams of adding a sixth title to their cabinet are over following a dismal run of form. 

Now, with three matches left in the league stage, Mumbai Indians are faced with an uncomfortable reality, only hoping to avoid a last-place finish. Notably, over the past few years, MI have failed to claim the momentum they are known for. Since 2021, they have repeatedly struggled to rediscover dominance, and the same has happened this year too, putting an end to their playoff hopes. 

In the match against RCB, MI suffered a crushing two-wicket defeat in a nail-biting encounter, with RCB's Krunal Pandya slamming a valuable knock of 73. Meanwhile, MI's head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, admitted the side's flaws and lauded the brilliance shown by Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

"Yeah, I mean, the season, it's disappointing. We've had our opportunities. We were not good enough. We were not consistent enough with the ball, with the bat, and that showed the margins," Jayawardene said at the press conference.

"We were probably two-three wins away from being in the same group of contenders to get into that playoff. But we didn't get those wins and today was another classic example that we were short. So, it's difficult for me to sum up a season right now. I have to give it some thought as well and then figure out exactly. But, yeah, I mean, we were not good enough with our skills and execution this season," he said.

For much of the game, Mumbai remained within touching distance of victory. They created opportunities and built pressure, but when the crucial moment came, their gamble backfired spectacularly. MI entrusted the final over to rookie allrounder Raj Angad Bawa, who was bowling for the first time in his four-year IPL career. The decision didn't yield a fruitful result, as he was hit for a six by Bhuvneshwar Kumar to power RCB to victory.

"All our bowlers were finished at that time. We didn't have anyone left - any experienced bowlers. We had a couple of spinners. Allah also went for runs. I think Suryakumar backed himself. Raj is a decent bowler. We know what he can do in practice, executing yorkers, the wide stuff and all that. So this is the situation that we thought he should be able to. I thought he bowled well to Shepherd, got the wicket as well, bowled those line," Jayawardene said.

"Yeah, I mean, couple of wides, no-ball, it's under pressure for him as well, so we had to look at it. But I think I was pleased the way we fought. And yeah, I mean, it was a game of margins, (we) probably should have executed a bit better at the end," he added.