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Former Sri Lanka cricketer and Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene has said that Suryakumar Yadav is hitting the ball well, not just in the nets, but also during the games, but the way he has gotten out a few times, it has been unfortunate for the star cricketer.

When IPL 2026 started, the Mumbai Indians were expected to dominate and cruise into the playoffs, given their team's strength. But things have not gone as planned, with the Hardik Pandya-led team languishing in ninth place on the table.

Suryakumar, who led India to a T20 World Cup title earlier this year, has struggled for rhythm in IPL 2026. He has managed just 162 runs in eight matches, with a highest score of 51 against the Delhi Capitals.

It marks a sharp dip in form for Suryakumar, who amassed over 700 runs in the previous IPL season. In this edition, he is averaging only 20.25, with a strike rate of 140.86, well below his usual standards.

“We have had this conversation. Like, if you look at him batting in the middle, there are two things. In practice, he is batting as well as anybody. I am sure he was like that,” Jayawardene said while speaking at the pre-match press conference.

“And even when you go into the matches as well, he (Suryakumar) is hitting the ball well. But the way he has gotten off a few times, it is unfortunate. Like, you know, he hits a shot, gets caught in the boundary line,” Jayawardene added.

The former Sri Lanka cricketer said that the need of the hour is to give Suryakumar space, backing his experience to turn things around and identify what is going wrong.