Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah is going through a rare lean patch in IPL 2026, having gone wicketless for five consecutive matches, raising questions about his effectiveness in the ongoing season.
In the latest outing against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Bumrah returned figures of 0/41 as Mumbai Indians struggled to contain the opposition in a high-scoring chase of 196. Punjab Kings overpowered MI’s bowling attack, completing the target in just 16.3 overs, with Prabhsimran Singh smashing an unbeaten 80 off 39 balls and captain Shreyas Iyer contributing a rapid 66 off 35 deliveries.
The performance marked Mumbai Indians’ fourth consecutive defeat of the season, with the franchise managing just one win from their opening match and losing momentum quickly thereafter.
So far in IPL 2026, Bumrah has conceded runs at an economy rate of 8.63, a figure considered expensive by his high standards. More concerning for the franchise is his inability to take wickets across five matches, a statistic that stands out for one of the most consistent fast bowlers in world cricket.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan offered insight into Bumrah’s struggles, suggesting that his bowling strategy may need adjustment. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan pointed out that Bumrah’s average speed this season has dropped to around 130 kmph and that he has been relying heavily on slower deliveries.
According to Pathan, Bumrah has used slower balls in roughly 44% of his deliveries—almost every second ball—something he believes may be affecting his wicket-taking ability. He suggested that reducing the reliance on variations and increasing the proportion of faster deliveries could help the pacer regain his rhythm and effectiveness.
“Wickets from Bumrah’s bowling are very important. There is no major issue with his form, but the numbers show he is using too many slower balls,” Pathan explained, adding that bringing the percentage down to around 30–35% could make his variations more threatening again.
He further noted that Bumrah does not require major technical coaching, but rather a tactical adjustment in his approach. Increasing pace, mixing in seam and swing, and reducing predictability, he argued, could help the bowler return to his wicket-taking best.
Despite the current slump, Bumrah remains a key figure for Mumbai Indians, and the franchise will be hoping he rediscovers his rhythm quickly as the tournament progresses and playoff hopes begin to tighten.
