MI’s Injury-Hit Campaign Slips Out of Control
Mumbai Indians’ WPL 2026 campaign never truly took flight, and head coach Lisa Keightley summed it up bluntly after their crucial loss to Gujarat Giants: “We could not get combinations going.” The 11-run defeat on Friday left the defending champions reliant on other results for a place in the Eliminator — an unfamiliar position for a side built on stability and structure.
From the very start, MI were chasing rhythm. Injuries and illness to key overseas players forced repeated changes, breaking the continuity that has long defined their success. As Keightley admitted, We could not get combinations going, and early losses only amplified the pressure. A quad injury to Hayley Matthews before the tournament disrupted carefully laid plans, while Nat Sciver-Brunt’s illness further complicated selection calls.
Despite entering the season with a clear vision, MI were quickly pushed into reactive mode. We could not get combinations going became a recurring theme as overseas rotations, domestic underperformance, and tactical reshuffles piled up. For a franchise known for trusting settled line-ups, the constant movement proved costly.
Missed Partnerships and a Late Fightback
One of MI’s biggest struggles was at the top of the order. Opening combinations remained unsettled throughout the season, an issue Keightley openly acknowledged when she said We could not get combinations going despite trying multiple options. Eventually, S Sajana was asked to step into a role she hadn’t prepared for, highlighting how far plans had shifted.
To Sajana’s credit, she embraced the challenge with a team-first mindset, putting in extra work at training and showing intent against world-class bowlers. Still, MI lacked consistent partnerships, and We could not get combinations going enough to build sustained momentum across matches.
Against Gujarat Giants, those issues resurfaced. Harmanpreet Kaur’s superb unbeaten 82 was a lone stand amid a faltering chase of 167. Earlier, MI let the game slip during the slog overs, conceding 36 runs in just 12 balls — a decisive swing that underlined why We could not get combinations going both tactically and on the field.
Keightley credited the Giants for executing better in key moments but admitted MI were undone by that crucial phase. Even with the ball, MI’s usual control deserted them late, reinforcing how We could not get combinations going in crunch situations.
The season now ends with three wins and five defeats, and for the first time in WPL history, MI’s qualification fate lies beyond their control. As they wait on the final league result, We could not get combinations going stands as the defining line of a campaign that promised much but never found its rhythm — a rare off-year for a powerhouse still searching for answers.
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