01 May,2026 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
MI players after their defeat to SRH at the Wankhede on Wednesday. Pic/IPL
Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach Kieron Pollard is a staunch optimist. Despite the team suffering another heavy defeat, this time a six-wicket home defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who chased down a massive 244-run target with eight balls to spare, he is confident that the team will fight back and qualify for the knockouts.
The five-time champions have suffered six defeats in eight games so far this season, and are in ninth position in the 10-team points table, but Pollard remains positive.
"We have not accepted defeat, but we have accepted that we have been on the losing side more often than not so far in this tournament. We need to play a complete game of cricket to win matches because it's getting difficult the way the game is going. But what I can safely say is that, in the dressing room, the spirit of the guys is strong, they are willing and wanting to fight," Pollard said at the post-match press conference on Wednesday night.
MI have just four points from two wins so far, but Pollard reckoned they still have a mathematical chance of making the top four. "When I said defeat, I didn't want the headlines to suggest that Mumbai Indians are out of the tournament because mathematically and from a points perspective, we are still very much in this tournament. I just wanted to clarify that sometimes you have to be a little more specific to ensure your point comes across clearly," added Pollard.
The West Indian even threw his weight behind struggling pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who went wicketless, conceding 54 runs in his four overs on Wednesday, and has taken just two wickets in this IPL. "He's going to bounce back to greater heights and take wickets, and we all, again, are going to be singing âBumrah, Bumrah' not only for Mumbai Indians, but also for India.
"As a human being, you're entitled to make mistakes, to not have a good day, a good season, or a good couple of months. He hasn't been up to the mark, but he has still been a No. 1 bowler for Mumbai Indians and India over a period of time," said Pollard.
MI take on CSK next in Chennai on May 2.
32
Total sixes smashed by MI and SRH on Wednesday - the most in an IPL match at Wankhede
One
No. of times MI have lost while defending 200 or more at Wankhede
100
Total number of wins for SRH - they become the eighth IPL team to reach the three-figure mark
