The Mumbai Indians, five-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), are struggling in the 2026 season with six losses in eight matches, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Key players, including batters Tilak Varma and Quinton de Kock, have been inconsistent, while bowlers Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah have underperformed. Captain Hardik Pandya's leadership has come under scrutiny, leading former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull to defend him. Doull noted that the dressing room is filled with strong personalities, making leadership challenging. He emphasized that the team’s decline over the past three years warrants accountability from the franchise's management. Pandya previously won four titles with Mumbai before leading the Gujarat Titans to victory in 2022. His return to MI involved replacing the long-time captain Rohit Sharma, but Doull believes the current situation requires a reassessment of team dynamics and leadership roles.