Former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has highlighted that Punjab Kings’ top-order lacked intent after they suffered a six-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2026 at Dharamshala on Thursday.

Priyansh Arya scored 22 runs off 17 balls whereas Cooper Connolly scored 21 runs off 22 balls. The former New Zealand seamer reckons Arya could have adopted a more aggressive approach against MI but he didn’t do that in the Powerplay overs.

PBKS eventually managed 200-8 in their 20 overs after Azmatullah Omarzai scored a fine cameo of 38 runs off 17 balls.

Mitchell McClenaghan said on ESPN Cricinfo, “I just think Punjab look like they have lost their way with the bat, lost their confidence. Some of those balls, you would expect [Priyansh] Arya to go after. I don’t think it was the surface early on. I just think it was lack of intent from what we have seen previously in the tournament. They probably felt the weight of having potentially one less batter. They looked a little bit rattled at the top.”

McClenaghan added Mumbai Indians bowlers were more accurate than they have been in the ongoing season. Shardul Thakur, who returned to the team’s playing XI, was the pick of the bowlers as he bagged 4-39 in his four overs.

The New Zealander added, “Mumbai bowlers were far more accurate tonight than they have been throughout the tournament. By the 15th over, 58 percent of their balls had landed between 6 and 8 meters. That’s well up there with the best numbers that they have had in this competition. They were pretty quick to assess the conditions.”

Mumbai Indians will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday.