Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has opined that Mumbai Indians’ batting unit form is a cause of concern for the franchise ahead of their IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings. MI batters have failed to convert their starts and their top order hasn’t been able to deliver the goods.

Ryan Rickelton has scored 135 runs in four matches of IPL 2026, whereas Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have managed 106 and 35 runs, respectively. Rohit Sharma has scored 137 runs but he is likely to miss out against PBKS due to a hamstring injury.

“Rickelton is not playing that bad, but he is not performing outstandingly as well. Vahi 30-35 ki innings aa rahi hai unse (He is still producing those 30-35 run knocks only). He is not converting those knocks, and you expect that your overseas players, or the top four players, make some substantial contributions, which is not happening here,” Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.

“Surya is not scoring runs, Tilak is not scoring runs, this is a worrying sign, according to me. So, these people have to score runs. On paper, they have a brilliant team, but the players are not performing. Even the bowlers are not delivering in the way they are supposed to,” he added.

The former domestic giant said PBKS are a slightly better team and MI would need to play out of their skin to beat Shreyas Iyer’s team.

“My mind and heart are both saying the same thing, I think Punjab is the slightly better team,. The form with which they are playing, their batting and bowling is solid. Although the bowling can be a little better. Even though Mumbai are playing at home, they have to play out of their skin if they want to beat this in-form Punjab team.

PBKS are the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, whereas MI have lost three out of their four games.