IPL 2024: What Happened When Mumbai Indians Lost First 3 Matches Of The Season In Earlier Editions?

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Mumbai Indians suffered their third successive loss in IPL 2024 following a 6-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday (April 1). But the joint-record champions are no strangers to slow or poor starts to a season.

Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians, which maintained an unwanted record of not winning a season-opener since 2012, has also registered another unlucky feat of losing the first three matches of the season.

This is not the first time MI has lost first three matches of an Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The five-time champions have lost the first three or more matches in a season in five previous editions as well.

Despite losing the first three matches or more in a season, MI have managed to finish in the playoff spots and even gone all the way to lift the title. So, the fans will hope something similar happens. Here is a look at when MI lost the opening three matches or more in an IPL season:

Mumbai Indians in IPL 2008

In the inaugural edition, MI under the stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh and Shaun Pollock lost the first four matches of the season, following defeats to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings and now defunct Deccan Chargers.

After four defeats in a row, MI ended the losing run with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but could only manage to finish fifth on the points table that season, just missing out on a knockout spot.

Mumbai Indians in IPL 2014

Following their first title triumph in 2013, MI under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma suffered defeats in the first five matches in IPL 2024, losing to KKR, RCB, CSK, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Despite losing their first four matches in 2014, MI reached the playoffs after finishing fourth on the points table, but lost to CSK in the semi-final. This was the first time a team losing as many games at the start of the season, progressed to the knockouts.

Mumbai Indians in IPL 2015

A year later, things didn't improve for MI in terms of starts as Rohit's team lost four in a row at the start of the season, losing to KKR, PBKS, CSK and Rajasthan Royals before they stopped the run with a victory over RCB.

MI created history that year as they managed to finish second on the points table, and eventually went all the way to lift their second IPL title despite losing the first four matches of the season.

Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018

In 2018, MI lost the opening three matches under the captaincy of Rohit after suffering defeats to CSK, SRH and Delhi Daredevils. However, they stopped the skid with a victory over RCB before going winless in the next few games to finish outside the playoff spots.

Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022

In 2022, MI registered one of the worst starts to campaign, losing eight in a row following defeats to DC, RR, KKR, RCB, PBKS, Lucknow Super Giants (twice) and CSK. The poorest start to the season saw MI finish rock bottom at 10th on the points table.

Hardik & Co, who have lost to Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, will look to correct course when they face Delhi Capitals on April 7 and start a run to match seasons 2014 and 2015 rather than 2008, 2018 and 2022.