Things are currently not looking good for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing IPL 2026. Their batting is becoming a big worry for them with every match. Actually, MI’s 18-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has once again exposed the weak middle order.
And Tilak Varma is now under heavy scrutiny, with questions now being raised about whether the current batting order is working or not for the five-time IPL champions.
Tilak Varma under fire as Mumbai Indians slip to 8th spot after third straight loss in IPL 2026
The pressure is clearly building inside the Mumbai Indians camp as they slipped to 8th position in the IPL 2026 points table with their third straight defeat in the tournament.
All eyes were on Tilak Varma in MI’s big clash against the RCB, but the young batter has once again let his team down as he managed just 1 run off 3 balls at the Wankhede Stadium. Tilak has been failing to make any real impact for the team, as he has so far amassed only 35 runs across four matches.
On the other side, Rajat Patidar showed exactly what the Mumbai Indians are missing at the moment. The RCB captain played a fearless knock, smashing 53 runs in just 20 balls and taking the match away from Mumbai.
Tilak Varma can’t smash the bowling like Rajat Patidar: Kris Srikkanth
After the big match at Wankhede Stadium, former Indian chief selector Kris Srikkanth has now openly pointed out the gap between Tilak and Rajat. He pointed out that Tilak is not able to dominate bowlers or take control of the match like players such as Patidar.
Kris Srikkanth said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “He is not in form, and he doesn’t have the big-hitting capacity. He is not a tearaway batter. He can play shots, but he can’t demolish attacks like a Phil Salt or Rajat Patidar. Tilak Varma can’t smash the bowling like Rajat Patidar.”
He showed the Mumbai Indians reality that Tilak is not currently delivering those match-winning performances that they need, and his struggles have been visible since the last couple of IPL seasons.
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The former World Cup winner added, “He hasn’t done well for MI in the last two to three IPLs. He can’t take the opposition out of a contest. At his position, he has to play impactful knocks like Patidar. You don’t want consistency here. I am not asking you to score 7 out of 10 games. You score in 4 out of 10 games and win the match singlehandedly for your team. That’s all you need.”
Srikkanth suggests demoting Tilak Varma down the order
Given the Indian batter’s struggles, Srikkanth feels the Mumbai Indians should think about changing his batting position in the tournament. He believes Tilak should move down the batting order, where there is less pressure, and he can play freely to make an impact for the franchise.
He signed off by saying, “I don’t think MI will do this, but Tilak Varma should be demoted down the order. He should come in at No. 6 or 7. Tilak Varma is brilliant only when you have to chase 160 or 170. But chasing 200 or 220, Tilak Varma has no chance.”
