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De Kock Stays Calm Amid MI's IPL 2026 Struggles, Urges Return to Basics

Mumbai Indians opener Quinton de Kock has calmly addressed the team's poor start to the IPL 2026 season. He admitted the five-time champions may have initially overcomplicated their approach and tried too hard. De Kock emphasized the need to return to basics and adapt to the modern T20 focus on match-ups. Despite four consecutive losses leaving MI at the bottom of the table, he believes there is still time to turn their campaign around.

Key Points: Quinton de Kock on Mumbai Indians' Poor IPL 2026 Start

  • MI in last place with 2 points
  • De Kock admits team tried too hard
  • Focus is on match-ups and basics
  • Five-time champions on 4-match losing streak
  • Time to turn campaign around
2 min read

IPL 2026: 'We haven't had a great start, but that's fine': De Kock on MI's poor campaign so far

MI's Quinton de Kock addresses the team's poor IPL 2026 campaign, admitting they overcomplicated things and need to return to basics to turn it around.

"We haven't had a great start, but that's fine. - Quinton de Kock"

Ahmedabad, April 20

Mumbai Indians opener Quinton de Kock struck a calm and honest note on the team's campaign so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026, admitting that while results haven't gone their way early on, there is still enough time to turn things around.

"It's been pretty chill, to be honest. Obviously, I know the squad pretty well. Obviously, we haven't had a great start, but that's fine. We're getting to the halfway stage of the tournament, so hopefully we can turn things around and see how we go," he said to the broadcasters ahead of the clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at Narendra Modi Stadium.

"Nothing tactical, just see it and have a crack. I think it's just the way the game's going, and I just have to keep up with the pace. That's pretty much it," he added.

The left-hander also spoke about adapting to the evolving nature of T20 cricket, particularly the importance of match-ups. "All about match-ups at the end of the day. I'm still trying to learn that and just trying to sort out what I'm trying to do," he added.

Reflecting on the team's early struggles, De Kock admitted that the side may have overcomplicated things.

"I think initially we were just trying a bit too hard. I think we were just trying to take the pressure off ourselves. Just go back to basics and try to be as good as we can at that. Then from there, we can see how we go. That's pretty much it at the end of the day."

The five-time champions, the Mumbai Indians, found themselves struggling for momentum in the ongoing season. After ending their long-standing streak of losing opening matches, they have slipped into poor form with four successive defeats, leaving them in the last spot in the points table with just two points in five matches.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Interesting to hear him talk about match-ups. The tactical side of T20 has evolved so much. MI's think-tank, with all its data, should be nailing this. Maybe they're relying too much on analytics and not enough on instinct? 🤔
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Ananya R
"It's been pretty chill" he says... Sir, for us fans it's been anything but chill! 😅 My heart can't take these last-over finishes and collapses. But he's a class player. If he fires at the top, things will turn. Have faith, MI Paltan!
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Vikram M
Respectfully, I have to disagree with the "that's fine" attitude. With the squad they have, being at the bottom is not fine. Other teams are hungrier. The legacy of MI is built on comebacks, but they need to show more urgency. The basics he mentions start with intent in the field.
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Karthik V
The problem is the middle order. Too unstable. One good partnership and the whole momentum shifts. De Kock and Kishan need to give solid starts. IPL is a long tournament, still plenty of games left. Don't write off the champions yet!
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Priya S
It's the hope that kills you! Every match I think "this is the turnaround," and then... sigh. But what he said about going back to basics makes sense. Sometimes you just need to watch the ball and hit it. Less thinking, more playing. 💙

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