Mumbai Indians’ (MI) team sheet for their IPL 2026 opener stunned some even before a ball was bowled. Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain and one of MI’s most dependable batters, was not part of the starting XI. Instead, he was listed among the Impact Subs.
It was a bit of surprise considering he has just captained India through a T20 World Cup win. Was there an injury concern? Was it tactical? Or something more?
By the end of the game, MI had comfortably chased down 221. But the bigger talking point remained Suryakumar’s limited role. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed it soon after, putting an end to the noise.
Jayawardene clears the air on Suryakumar’s fitness
Jayawardene made it clear that the decision had nothing to do with form or team balance and everything to do with managing a minor fitness issue.
“I hope we don’t create unwanted stories. The camp is very happy, everyone’s happy. Sky came and joined us after taking a couple of extra days he wanted. He had a little tight groin, and he was doing fielding and all that, but I knew I had another five days from this game to the other game. I just want to give him that extra bit of time. He was even keen at the end to go for three, four overs, but I said no, it’s fine,” Jayawardene said.
Last year, MI mostly used Rohit Sharma as an Impact sub, with the Hitman coming only to bat and not field. Back then, his fitness was questioned by almost everyone and MI were better off having the current Indian captain on the ground. However, in last few months, Rohit has been leaner, fitter and in a more focused avatar. He is a pretty safe catcher too, while also helping the players with his tactical knowledge on the ground.
The MI coach stressed that the call was precautionary, especially with a long season ahead.
“It’s just that I have to take precautions. These are very valuable players for me to have them going throughout the season. So these are calculated decisions that I make and the management make. So there’s nothing beyond that.”
Suryakumar eventually came in as an Impact Sub during the chase and played a short but brisk cameo, scoring 16 off 8 balls. He smoked the very first ball towards the boundary and made his intentions very clear while batting at number three. His form wasn’t the greatest at the T20 World Cup despite playing a blinder in the opening game against the USA. Hence, it was interesting to watch him bat, and he batted with aggression. Short innings but effective.
Mumbai’s record chase at Wankhede
Chasing 221, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton took control early with a 148-run opening stand in just 72 balls. The game was done then and there. Rohit was in surreal touch and hammered some breathtaking strokes, while Rickelton’s 81 off 43 balls broke the back of the chase.
With the platform firmly set, contributions from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya ensured there were no late hiccups. MI completed the chase in 19.1 overs, sealing a six-wicket win. The result was massive. Mumbai had never chased down a 220-plus target in their IPL history and they had not won their opening match of a season since 2012. But Mumbai’s powerpacked batting rewrote every record.
