The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), have suffered a massive blow ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opening match.
Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) will lock horns with the Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday, March 29, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Double blow for Mumbai Indians! Mitchell Santner, Will Jacks out of IPL 2026 matches
The Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, addressed a press conference ahead of their season opener, where he provided a shocking update on Mitchell Santner and Will Jacks.
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Mahela Jayawardene stated that the English all-rounder Will Jacks and the New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner have requested an extended break before joining the squad, and they have been given a green signal.
“Will Jacks & Mitchell Santner have sought an extended break and we have given it to them..I can’t give u a timeline abt when they will join us,” the MI head coach stated.
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Probably one of the best all-rounders in white-ball cricket – Mumbai Indians head coach on Hardik Pandya
Speaking on MI Charcha, the Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene lavished rich praise on the skipper Hardik Pandya and spoke about his journey in cricket. He elaborated (as quoted by Mumbai Indians (MI):
“The first time I met Hardik was in 2017. Young, raw talent with a lot of energy and that is something I have admired in Hardik. Even today with that energy to play the game, he is something special. He is quite passionate about the game of cricket, talks a lot about it. I have been with MI for eight years and it is amazing to see his growth when it comes to leadership, maturity on the field and how he has evolved, probably one of the best all rounders in white ball cricket.”
“When he started out, we had to pull him back a little because he was like a power house on the move…with the bat, ball and on the field. The younger Hardik’s work ethic was brilliant back then.”
“The injuries that he later had, took a toll on his body, as he was also playing test cricket. A lot of work load management had to happen. Now he understands this and we have a structured way of handling his work load. Managing a player once they get to that important stage in their career is important. His skill work and work ethic is brilliant even today…the training bit, working on his fitness during the season and off it too. It is good to see how he has evolved as a person and player.”
It is a healthy headache to have so many good options – Mahela Jayawardene
Mumbai Indians (MI) are regarded as slow starters as they have lost most of their opening matches in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This time, they will be looking forward to changing things and talking about the team combination, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene stated that having too many good players is a healthy headache to have. He elaborated:
“It is a healthy headache to have so many good options. We play different oppositions, conditions…Once we play in Mumbai, then we have 2 back-to-back away matches. We will need those options; squad depth is something that is very important for various reasons. It could be for injuries or different conditions… that is something that we always constantly think about.
“Having experience on the bench helps. Sometimes it is tough that we have amazing players sitting out, but that is what it is. That is part and parcel of franchise cricket. It is our job to create an atmosphere where everyone is happy and everyone plays for that one goal, that is for the team.”