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MI Coach Backs Bumrah, Suryakumar as Match Winners Amid Lean Patch

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended star players Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav, calling them match winners despite their poor form. He emphasized that they are human and will go through lean phases, but their character will ensure they fight back. The team's focus is to remove pressure from them and encourage them to trust their abilities. With only 2 wins in 8 matches, MI is placed 9th and faces a must-win situation against CSK.

Key Points: Bumrah, Suryakumar Are Match Winners: MI Coach

  • MI coach backs Bumrah and Suryakumar as key match winners
  • Star players are in a lean phase but their character ensures they will fight back
  • Team focus is to remove unnecessary pressure from them
  • Remaining matches are like playoff games with no room for error
3 min read

"Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav are match winners": MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene

MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene defends star players Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav amid poor form, says they are human and will fight back.

"They are match winners (Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah), and they are human. They will go through these things - Mahela Jayawardene"

Chennai, May 1

Amid the Mumbai Indians drifting down the bottom of the Indian Premier League 2026 points table, with star players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah unable to influence matches, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that Yadav and Bumrah are key match-winners, but also human beings who can go through lean phases.

He stressed that their character and resilience ensure they will keep fighting back. Jayawardene also felt that the team's focus is to take away unnecessary pressure from them and encourage them to stay relaxed, keep trying, and trust their abilities, as such challenges are a normal part of cricket.

Yadav has only managed 162 runs in 8 matches at an average of 20.25 and a strike rate of 140.86. On the other hand, ace seamer Bumrah has only scalped two wickets at an average of 132 and an economy rate of 8.8.

Jayawardene was speaking to the reporters on the eve of MI's high-voltage clash against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

"They are match winners (Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah), and they are human. They will go through these things, and their character is that they'll keep coming back and fighting. So the conversation we're having is not to have too much pressure on themselves because they feel that, okay, on their own, they should be able to deliver. So that is just saying it's fine. I mean, these things happen, let's keep trying," Jayawardene said.

Jayawardene admitted that a few missed wins earlier in the season have put MI in a difficult position, but said the team still knows what is required moving forward. He described the remaining matches as "playoff-like" encounters where there is no room for error.

"If we had won a few games in between as well, we still would be in the trail of where we need to be, and the confidence will be high, and all that. So every game from now on for us is most likely like a playoff game in a sense. And these guys are professional enough to understand, and they'll come fighting even harder, and then see what opportunities we have going forward, and that's all I can ask as a coach, and they are up for the challenge," Jayawardene added.

The five-time IPL champions have been struggling to get their season underway, they have just managed 2 wins in their 8 clash so far and are placed in 9th position in the points table.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Ravi K
Bumrah and Surya have earned the right to be backed. But 2 wickets in 8 matches is alarming for a world-class bowler. Maybe he's carrying a niggle? MI should rest him and give a youngster a chance instead of burning him out. 🤔
S
Sarah B
I respect Mahela's approach - taking pressure off players is smart coaching. But MI's problems are deeper. Their bowling unit looks toothless without Bumrah firing, and the batting is too reliant on Surya and Ishan. Need a proper team performance, not just star power.
M
Michael C
These two are legends, no doubt. But the modern game is ruthless. You can't keep saying "they'll bounce back" while you're 9th on the table. At some point, you need results, not just hope. MI should look at their auction strategy next time.
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Nisha Z
As a die-hard MI fan, it hurts to see them struggle. But I appreciate Mahela's honesty - treating them like humans instead of robots. The CSK match is a huge test. If they can't win that, we're done for this season. 🙏
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Amanda J
Mahela is right that lean spells happen, but the analysis should be more critical. Bumrah isn't getting early wickets, and Surya is playing too many dot balls. The coaching staff should work on specific technical fixes, not just morale boosting.

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