183 runs in nine innings of IPL 2026: Jayawardene reacts to Suryakumar Yadav's form as Mumbai Indians stare at exit

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said Suryakumar Yadav is going through a phase where things are not working, but he needs to keep working hard.

Suryakumar, who scored more than 700 runs in the 2025 season, is facing a difficult run despite leading India to a T20 World Cup win.

He has scored 183 runs in nine innings so far in IPL 2026, with one fifty in Delhi. Most of his scores have been around 20, with hard length deliveries aimed at his body troubling him.

"If he (Surya) gets a few scores together, I think he will find that rhythm. I think sometimes when things are not going your way, it doesn't fall in place," Jayawardene said.

"I think it was a pretty good shot (his dismissal off Ramakrishna Ghosh) that went straight to the fielder. I mean it's one of those things I mean I played enough cricket to understand," he added.

Jayawardene said Suryakumar is in a "good space" but many of his shots have found fielders at the boundary.

"He's definitely up for it, he's in a good space. It's just that it hasn't worked like the amount of times he's got caught on the the boundary this season. Even in the last game or the one before that the flick where he got caught so it's just a matter of time.

"I think he himself is disappointed but just have to keep on working harder," the coach said.

On Jasprit Bumrah, Jayawardene said the fast bowler has not been getting enough support from the other end. Bumrah has been managing both run control and wicket-taking, which is not easy.

"I mean when everyone's working together you are picking up wickets here and there that helps Bumrah to be a bit more aggressive as well rather than doing a holding job."

The MI head coach also spoke about Bumrah’s form. "Like I said. Everyone tend to have a slow season but the class is always going to be permanent. I mean he (Bumrah) bowled brilliantly today but it was unfortunate he could have probably taken a few more wickets. He did go all out."