IP 205

When at their best, Mumbai Indians (MI) are virtually unbeatable. Time and again, we’ve seen them go on an incredible run after a poor start to their season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This year, they went on a 6-match winning streak after another poor start. Do you know the last time this happened for MI? In 2017, they won 6 consecutive matches and also won the trophy.

They can do this in IPL 2025 as well. But something stands in their way. And it isn’t Punjab Kings (PBKS), their opponents in Qualifier 2. The venue itself is the issue. In the IPL, Mumbai hasn’t won a match at the Motera Stadium (now Narendra Modi Stadium) since 2014.

Ghosts of the past

That sample size isn’t too large or too small; it’s 6 matches. But in the last three seasons, Mumbai have played four matches here and lost all of them. Fascinatingly, they haven’t lost a toss here. So even after being able to decide whether they wish to bat first or chase, the 5-time champions haven’t won a match in Ahmedabad.

Punjab is a great team. They don’t have many holes in their team, much like Mumbai. But they aren’t fighting ghosts of the past like MI are. The core of their team has been the same since 2023. So, players are well aware of their shortcomings at the venue. It’ll surely be at the back of their minds that they haven’t won here the last 4 times.

One-sided affairs

Another thing that works against Mumbai is the fact that only one of their losses has been close. Defeats by 7 wickets, 55 runs, 62 runs, and 36 runs just show that these affairs have been one-sided. Now, the only thing that works in their favour is that Gujarat Titans is a strong team. They made the IPL Playoffs in 2023 and 2025. But until they get their monkey off their backs, the Motera jinx will continue.

Mumbai Indians’ record at Narendra Modi Stadium