Mumbai Indians (MI) pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is having a career-worst IPL 2026 campaign. In 10 matches so far, he has taken just three wickets at a highly unusual bowling average of 109.66 and an economy rate of 8.89.
Bumrah's lack of rhythm was further highlighted during the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Monday (May 4) at the Wankhede Stadium, where he bowled three no balls. One of the no balls also cost him the wicket of Himmat Singh.
He conceded 45 runs in his four overs, including a 21-run over in the Powerplay, making it his seventh wicketless spell of the tournament.
Reflecting on his struggles, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar suggested that the problem lies not in effort, but in Bumrah trying to do too much and losing his natural rhythm.
“Bumrah is giving his best, but he seems to be trying too many extra things. He is creating wicket-taking chances, but luck is not on his side. His pace has also dropped he is overdoing things, and that’s hurting him. He should go back to his basics and stick to what works best for him. Trying new things is affecting his rhythm and luck isn’t helping either,” Gavaskar said while speaking to Star Sports.
“His go-to slower ball length has become fuller. The line that used to target the stumps is now drifting to leg stump. He is not known for bowling many no-balls, but this season he has already bowled six or seven,” the former India opener added.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Bumrah’s issue isn't purely technical but rather about finding "100% inner feeling" and mental sharpness.
“We are in that space that the management can probably honestly sit and have a chat. Ask him: ‘are you feeling 100% from within’; ‘do you want to take a break for a game or so’,” Bangar said.
He advised the MI management to have an honest conversation with the ace pacer regarding a potential, short break to reset mentally and physically.
“And if he says ‘no, I am good to go, I will play’, you will probably see a better version of him, because he will try to push even more harder,” Bangar added.
Coming to the match, MI defeated LSG by six wickets in a high-scoring affair. Invited to bat first, the visitors racked up a formidable 228/5 on the board, driven by quickfire contributions from Nicholas Pooran (63 off 21) and Mitchell Marsh (44 off 25).
After LSG got off to a blistering start, MI bowlers pulled things back effectively, allowing them to score only 68 runs in the last 8 overs. In reply, Rohit Sharma (84 off 44) and Ryan Rickelton (83 off 32) starred with rapid fifties, sharing a 143-run opening stand to help the hosts reach the target in 18.4 overs.
Despite the victory, the five-time champions are fighting for survival as they need to win their remaining four league matches to stay in contention for the playoffs.
Mumbai Indians will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday (May 10) in Raipur.
