Defending champions Mumbai’s campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 ended in disappointment, and captain Shardul Thakur did not mince his words while reacting to the team’s shock exit. Despite winning two of their three Super League matches, Mumbai failed to qualify for the final, prompting Thakur to question what he termed an “unfair” Net Run Rate (NRR) rule.
According to the existing tournament regulations, NRR was recalculated from scratch once teams entered the Super League stage. In cases where multiple teams finished on equal points, qualification was decided solely on Super League NRR, with no consideration for head-to-head results — a rule that proved costly for several sides.
Why the NRR Rule Became a Major Talking Point?
The controversial NRR reset had a far-reaching impact, hurting teams like Mumbai cricket team, Hyderabad cricket team, and Andhra cricket team.
Hyderabad looked well on course for a final berth after emphatic wins over Mumbai and Rajasthan in the Super League. With a staggering NRR of +2.999, all they needed was a win against Haryana. However, a crushing 124-run defeat in their final Super League game wiped out all advantage, ending their title hopes abruptly.
Similarly, Andhra were knocked out despite winning two of their three matches, including a victory over Jharkhand. Confusion over the exact qualification scenario reportedly left players unsure of the target they needed to restrict Jharkhand to — leading to visible frustration once the result did not go their way.
Mumbai’s Near-Perfect Chase Still Fell Short
Mumbai found themselves in a similar situation during their final Super League fixture. To stay alive, they needed to chase down 216 runs in just 10.2 overs against Rajasthan to boost their NRR sufficiently. While the team chased the target successfully, they reached home with 11 balls to spare, falling short of the required margin and crashing out of the tournament.
Reflecting on the exit, Thakur stressed that Mumbai’s overall performance did not deserve such an ending.
“It wasn’t a disappointing campaign for us at all. We played very good cricket throughout the tournament and dropped just two games,” Thakur said, speaking to Sportstar. He was particularly critical of the Super League NRR reset, which he felt distorted the fairness of the competition.
‘It’s Like Playing Two Different Tournaments’ – Thakur
Shardul pointed out the inconsistencies in qualification outcomes, highlighting that Mumbai lost only two matches across the entire competition, while Hyderabad lost three. Despite that, Hyderabad came close to qualification, while Mumbai were eliminated.
“Before reaching the finals, you cannot revise the NRR rule again. It’s like playing two different tournaments,” he said. “There is no point having two separate NRRs in the group stage and the Super League.”
According to the Mumbai skipper, the current format allows teams to be knocked out regardless of how many games they win, which undermines consistency and performance across the season.
Call for a Uniform NRR System
Thakur believes the solution lies in maintaining a single, uniform NRR from the first group match until the end of the Super League. Such a system, he argued, would offer a genuine level playing field and reward teams for sustained excellence.
“It definitely needs to be thought of. The NRR should be uniform from Game One until the end of the Super League,” he added, confirming that he plans to raise the issue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India if a Captains’ Conclave is held after the season.
Mumbai Shift Focus to Vijay Hazare Trophy
With the T20 campaign over, Mumbai will now turn their attention to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, travelling to Jaipur on December 21. Senior batter Rohit Sharma is expected to rejoin the squad, providing experience and stability at the top.
However, Thakur acknowledged that some fine-tuning is required as the team transitions formats. He emphasised discipline, clarity in team plans, and especially fielding, calling it a decisive factor in white-ball cricket.
“Fielding is totally in your hands. Dropping a catch at a crucial moment can cost you the game,” he noted, stressing that unlike Test cricket, T20s offer little room for recovery.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Availability in Doubt
Meanwhile, Mumbai suffered a minor scare off the field as Yashasvi Jaiswal was rushed to a local hospital after complaining of severe stomach cramps. Medical examinations confirmed acute gastroenteritis, and doctors advised rest.
With limited time left before the Vijay Hazare Trophy begins, Jaiswal’s availability remains uncertain — another concern for Mumbai as they regroup after a dramatic SMAT exit.
As debates around the NRR rule grow louder, Mumbai’s early elimination may yet spark a broader discussion on fairness and clarity in domestic tournament formats.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at The100Sports.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
