MI vs CSK: Mahela Jayawardene Pin Points Power Play For Heavy Loss

MI’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, came to the press conference and addressed a whole range of issues plaguing MI this season. MI had a hole in their bowling and is still figuring out their best combination. But injuries and illnesses have hurt them hard. They have done well in patches but have been inconsistent to say the least. MI has two wins in seven games and is languishing in 8th place in the points table, i.e. the bottom half of the points table. They now have a 5-day break to regroup.

Mahela Jayawardene’s candid thoughts to the reporters

Speaking to reporters after MI’s heavy loss to CSK, Mahela Jayawardene said, “If you analyse the seven games, yes, there was a hole in our bowling, and we got some fresh faces in there. The win against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad looked good. Again, here, I thought in patches we bowled well. It is just execution-wise, consistency-wise, I think we are one of the teams that has given the highest number of big overs-18-plus overs, if you look at the half-season. That number puts us in a very bad position for us to claw back into a game when you give that 20-plus over, it’s tough.”

For the record, MI have conceded at an economy of 10.52 runs per over, the highest by any team this season. The 34 wickets they have picked up thus far are the third-lowest. Jasprit Bumrah, on whom they bank for regular wickets, has taken just two wickets in 7 matches, even if he has been among MI’s most miserly bowlers.

The inconsistency is reflected in not just their performances but also in the use of personnel, even after leaving room for match-ups. When the season began, Trent Boult was their preferred new-ball bowler, but his lack of wickets in the power play, coupled with a high economy, meant MI had to look elsewhere. They had to use more of Bumrah in the power play, often two overs this season, instead of saving him for the backend. In the last two outings, Bumrah has bowled the opening over.

Mahela Jaywardene said, “Yes, we are trying a few things. Booms, we thought we needed some experience up front to take the new ball, because where we were lacking was that we were not setting a tone with the first over itself. We were going for 10, 12, 13 runs. So, let’s grab that back. So, we’ve tried a few things.” 

Against CSK, it was a case of MI falling short in the power play, both with the ball and bat: 73/2 vs 29/3. MI scored their lowest power play total against CSK in the IPL on a day when their opponents had scored their second-highest total in that phase against them. MI couldn’t counter Akeal Hosein with the new ball in their chase of 208.

Mahela Jayawardene said: “Once you lose a match like that, it’s difficult to even analyse it. But probably where we lost both the powerplays with the ball and with the bat, we just couldn’t get into the game. We had a great game in Ahmedabad. I thought we found some rhythm, but again, we lost that rhythm.” 

Mahela Jayawardene further added: “I don’t think the wicket played badly, probably it stayed the same. Once you are 11/3, you are always going to get pulled back. They had the upper hand from that point. But overall, we have to be better. We got blown away, but we need to move on and see the good things we have done and be consistent in those areas.” 

Mahela Jayawardene clarified the reasons for Shardul Thakur replacing Mitchell Santner as a concussion substitute

Another big talking point that emerged post the game was the move to allow Mitchell Santner a concussion substitute after he was seen walking off the field holding his shoulder raised a few eyebrows. He ran in from sweeper cover to pull off a diving catch to dismiss Kartik Sharma, before walking off grimacing. MI had subbed out Allah Ghazanfar to bring in opener Danish Malewar as the impact player. However, with MI’s chase going nowhere, Shardul Thakur walked in to bat at No.8 as a concussion substitute.

Mahela Jayawardene said that Santner went for a scan after he complained of dizziness, and it was then that MI approached the match referee for a concussion substitute. He said, “I think he hit his head first, neck, obviously the shoulder as well. He went for a scan because once he got back, he felt dizzy. So, he was lying down. Yes, the ice was there for the shoulder. But he felt that he wasn’t stable. So, we took him for a scan in that situation. We requested a concussion substitute. Obviously, it is at the match referee and the umpire’s discretion.” 

He added, “They allowed Shardul. Mitch will be disappointed that his batting powers are matched by Shardul Thakur. But it is what it is. But hopefully, it’s not too bad.” 

Amid the gloom, Jayawardene had praise for Ghazanfar, who returned with figures of 2/25 despite CSK scoring at over ten runs per over. Ghazanfar came on in the power play and had Ruturaj Gaikwad caught at long-off before bowling Shivam Dube in the 9th over.

He said, “I thought Allah bowled well. I think he’s young, and he’s proven to be quite mature for his age. How he thinks, how he bowls, he’s bowling in the power play, and after that as well. The more games he plays, the more he will do. Even their two spinners bowled well today as well. It was a great spell from Akeal. We just need to keep backing Allah to do what he does.” 

MI next plays Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, April 29th. It remains to be seen whether this 5-day break helps MI rejuvenate and come back stronger in the second half of IPL 2026 in a crucial clash against SRH.

Also Read: MI vs CSK: 3 Reasons For MI’s Astonishing Defeat To CSK