Mumbai Indians bowlers are wearing black armbands in their IPL 2026 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the reason has truly been heartfelt.
The Mumbai Indians could not manifest anything special in their last game against the Chennai Super Kings at this same venue at the Wankhede Stadium. However, they would aim to bounce back against Sunrisers Hyderabad, especially after having made so many changes to the squad.
Why are Mumbai Indians players wearing black armbands vs SRH?
Mumbai Indians players will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad for their eighth game of the season, and that too on their home ground, the Wankhede Stadium. The Hardik Pandya-led side has been spotted donning black armbands as they come out to bat.
They had reported the same by a small announcement before the start of the match, where they claimed that they would be wearing those black bands in remembrance of one of the staff members’ daughters’ untimely demise.
“Due to the untimely demise of our support staff’s daughter, Mumbai Indians players will wear black armbands today, in remembrance and solidarity with the family,” the note read.
Due to the untimely demise of our support staff’s daughter, Mumbai Indians players are wearing a black armband today, in remembrance of her and solidarity with the family. pic.twitter.com/u5j1ijfeVp
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 29, 2026
Mumbai Indians make massive changes to the playing XI ahead of SRH clash
Mumbai Indians have not been on the winning side on most of the occasions this season and are looking for their best combination, especially with the bat since their bowlers, despite all possible combinations, have failed to execute.
They made some startling changes to the XI, with Quinton de Kock missing out on this game with a wrist injury. Ryan Rickelton returned for the Mumbai Indians, and he has taken the spotlight once again with some amazing bits of shotplay.
They have also finally bought in the likes of Will Jacks and have dropped Sherfane Rutherford from the side with Trent Boult making his way back into the playing XI.
Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks hands MI a promising start in the powerplay
What seemed to be one of the biggest negatives for MI in this season was a good start in the power play. After that first match and that huge partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, the Mumbai Indians struggled in the powerplay.
With Will Jacks returning to open the innings alongside Ryan Rickelton, the duo handed them a perfect start with 78 runs in the powerplay. The two-handed MI had a scoring rate of 13+ runs per over and set the tone for a massive total, before Jacks was finally dismissed off Nitish Kumar Reddy‘s bowling in the 8th over of the game.
With Quinton de Kock likely to return soon, the trio might do wonders for the Mumbai Indians if they can form the top 3 for the side, looking to contribute in most games.
ALSO READ: Why Quinton de Kock is not playing today’s match vs SRH in IPL 2026?
