IPL 2026: Here's how Mumbai Indians failed to defend gigantic target of 244 runs
Updated On: 01 May, 2026 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan Koli
mid-day analyses why Hardik Pandya & Co failed to defend a massive target of 244 against SRH at the Wankhede; their highest total batting first across all IPLs
Shardul Thakur. Pic/PTI; Travis Head. Pic/Ashish Raje; Jasprit Bumrah during his 0-54 vs SRH. Pic/Ashish Raje
Powerplay problem
Despite defending such a massive total, MI failed to build early pressure as pacers Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah leaked runs. Thanks to SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma’s onslaught, the visitors raced to 92-0 in six overs at a run-rate above 15. It was the joint-highest Powerplay score by any team against MI, matching Delhi Capitals’s effort in 2024.
Lucky Head
Opener Head was lucky to survive a caught-behind incident in the third over from Boult while he was on eight. He nicked one outside off to wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton, but surprisingly neither Boult nor the wicketkeeper appealed. UltraEdge later showed a clear spike.
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