One of the running jokes of the IPL over its 18 seasons is that Mumbai Indians have needed the month of May to truly kick into gear. With the tournament usually starting in April in the early years, MI would typically lose a few games before getting back to winning ways in May. While the timelines may have shifted over the years, MI have continued to start slowly, and that's been the case in IPL 2025 too. With three defeats in four outings so far, they are getting close to danger territory.

Teams typically need at least 16 points from their 14 league games to be in contention for the playoffs, and time may be running out for the five-time champions. One bit of news will brighten the mood around the MI camp significantly, though. Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection. If any one player can transform a team's fortunes all by himself, it's Bumrah.What he can't do, however, is fix MI's batting issues. In three of their four matches, their opening partnership has not lasted beyond the second over. Rohit Sharma's run of lean scores aside, MI have yet to settle on a batting order.

Naman Dhir, one of their bright spots from last season and for whom they used the right-to-match card at the auction, batted at No. 7 in two games before scoring a 24-ball 46 at No. 3 in their last outing against Lucknow Super Giants. With Rohit set to return after missing that game with a knee injury, Will Jacks could move back to one-drop, which would push Dhir further down. While Suryakumar Yadav's form has been a consolation for MI, Tilak Varma has looked scratchy enough to get retired out, and Hardik Pandya hasn't been setting the death overs on fire.

And there are questions over MI's firepower - or lack thereof - lower down the order. On the eve of their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, head coach Mahela Jayawardene didn't sound too worried. "I want to be more flexible with the batting order given where we are and the talent and skill we have," he said in Mumbai on Sunday. "As long as we have productivity from those guys in different positions, it will give us advantage going forward."

MI's opponents on Monday, RCB, are one of the form teams so far this season. They are coming off a loss to Gujarat Titans at home but have won both their away games. That run has included a win at Chepauk for the first time since 2008. RCB have beaten MI only three times at the Wankhede, and haven't done so even once since 2015. With a unit in strong early-season form, with four of their batters having already scored half-centuries, this could be their best chance of ending that run.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)