IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians become the second team in IPL history to…

Mumbai Indians (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians entered the IPL record books in the 2026 season by becoming only the second team in the history of the tournament to use three different captains in three consecutive matches.The five-time champions have endured a tough campaign plagued by injuries, inconsistent results and repeated management changes. Over the course of three matches, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya took the lead. Before Mumbai Indians, the only franchise to witness a similar change of captains was Pune Warriors India in 2013, when Ross Taylor, Angelo Mathews and Aaron Finch shared the leadership.Mumbai’s management changes began after regular skipper Pandya was ruled out with back spasms. He first missed MI’s home match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 and was also not available for the encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite traveling with the team. Suryakumar stepped in as captain during his absence.Pandya also missed the trip to Dharamsala for MI’s six-wicket win over Punjab Kings. When Suryakumar left after the birth of his child, Bumrah became Mumbai Indians’ third captain of the season.The all-rounder eventually returned to take on the leadership duties in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.Overall, it was a forgettable season for Mumbai Indians, who crashed out of the play-off race after winning just four of their 12 league matches.They started their campaign on a positive note with a six-wicket win over KKR but could not sustain the momentum. Losses against Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings put them on the back foot at the start of the tournament.A dominant win over Gujarat Titans briefly revived hopes, but MI again lost their way with three consecutive defeats against Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings again.Wins later in the season against Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings came too late, leaving too much room for Mumbai to recover in the play-off race.