Should Mumbai Indians release Suryakumar Yadav ahead of next season after poor IPL 2026?

Suryakumar Yadav has flopped with bat in IPL 2026.

Mumbai Indians (MI) have delivered a horrible performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Hardik Pandya & Co. have been stranded at the bottom half of the points table from the start and are on the verge of getting eliminated.

Ahead of IPL 2026, Suryakumar Yadav, who has also led the side in a few games in Hardik Pandya’s absence, was expected to set the stage on fire. However, he has completely flopped with the bat, which is one of the main reasons behind MI’s poor performances.

MI won their opening game against KKR, but after that they have been an utter disappointment. Suryakumar scored a half-century in the second clash against Delhi Capitals. However, it was the only game in which he came up with a good show and got out cheaply in other matches.

The right-handed batsman has scored 195 runs in 11 games at a poor average of 17.73. Suryakumar’s poor show has stunned MI fans, as he is known as a T20 specialist and has been a crucial batter for the side over the years.

Should MI continue to back Suryakumar Yadav amid his dismal form in IPL 2026?

With Suryakumar going through a lean patch, there have been many calls to bench him and even release him from squad ahead of next season. However, despite his poor form, the five-time champions should continue to back him. Even though, he has struggled with his form in IPL 2026, he has been the best batsman for the side over the last few seasons.

Last year, Mumbai made it to the playoffs and Suryakumar was a crucial reason behind their success. With 717 runs in 16 games at an average of over 65 and a strike rate of 165+, he finished as MI’s leading run-scorer and second-highest in IPL 2025.

Over the years, Suryakumar has been a stand-out and consistent batter for the five-time champions. He has played a massive role in success of franchise, and surely can contribute for a few more years. Although, things are not going in his favour this season, letting him go would be one of the biggest blunders that MI could make.

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