Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers in the world today, but it is surprising to see that his average is currently among the worst in this IPL season. Bumrah went wicketless in his first five games and picked up his first wicket only in the sixth match against the Gujarat Titans, dismissing Sai Sudharsan on the very first ball he bowled in that game.Before this match, Bumrah had struggled, going wicketless in Mumbai Indians’ first five matches against Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings. His wicket of Sudharsan, who was dismissed for a golden duck, helped to set the tone for Mumbai Indians victory, as Gujarat Titans suffered a heavy 99-run defeat.Bumrah has historically dominated some of the biggest T20 batters. He had never conceded a six to players like Travis Head and Sanju Samson, but during this rough phase in IPL 2026, both managed to hit him for sixes. Young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also took him on, smashing two sixes in a single over. This highlights the lean patch Bumrah is currently going through.Bumrah’s current IPL bowling average stands at 132, the worst of his T20 career. Compared to other bowlers who have bowled 30 or more overs this season, his average is nearly double, placing him among the most underperforming bowlers for Mumbai Indians. This dip in form could be one of the reasons why the Mumbai Indians have struggled to maintain momentum.Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, it was only the second time in IPL history that Mumbai Indians failed to defend a total of 200 or more, and the first time at Wankhede Stadium. In that match, Bumrah conceded 54 runs in his four overs, getting hit for sixes by Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Salil Arora. It is rare to see Bumrah conceding so many sixes, especially in situations where his team relies on him the most.
What is behind Jasprit Bumrah’s struggle?
Bumrah entered IPL 2026 after an intense and packed international schedule that included the Asia Cup, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, series against Australia and South Africa, and a demanding five-match Test series in England. During that England tour alone, he bowled 119 overs across three matches, despite managing a long-standing back issue.Cricket experts have pointed to multiple possible reasons for his dip in form. Some believe Bumrah may not have had adequate rest after continuous international cricket, while others suggest he has struggled to find his usual rhythm and lengths.Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth was blunt in his assessment after Bumrah’s outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad:“Bumrah is not getting that zip at all. Not one delivery looked threatening. Maybe he is tired, so I am not blaming him. But he is clearly not at his best. He is trying hard but looking very ordinary.” His statement narrates that Bumrah might be exhausted after packed schduled.On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the mental aspect of the game. During Bumrah’s wicketless run in the first five matches, Ashwin suggested that external narratives and pressure may have affected his rhythm.“I still think Bumrah bowled really well in the first two matches, but then the team started losing. Then the narrative also started that Bumrah was not getting wickets. That was probably playing on his mind,” Ashwin said, adding that the best of Bumrah could still be around the corner.Former India batter Mohammad Kaif also weighed in, suggesting that Bumrah’s body may not be fully supporting him at the moment and that a short break could help him regain peak fitness.Meanwhile, Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians’ batting coach, downplayed concerns over Bumrah’s form. He emphasized that the pacer is human and occasional dips are natural, urging people to remember his immense contributions to the team over the years.Here’s a look at the bowling averages this season among players who have bowled 30 or more overs, along with their averages and economy rates:-
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 30 | 264 | 2 | 132.00 | 8.80 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 30 | 329 | 8 | 41.12 | 10.96 |
| Mohammed Shami | 31 | 250 | 7 | 35.71 | 8.06 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 33 | 268 | 9 | 29.77 | 8.12 |
| Rashid Khan | 33 | 274 | 10 | 27.40 | 8.30 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 35 | 338 | 14 | 24.14 | 9.65 |
| Jofra Archer | 33 | 274 | 14 | 19.50 | 8.27 |
| Eshan Malinga | 31 | 284 | 15 | 18.93 | 9.16 |
| Prince Yadav | 30 | 242 | 13 | 18.61 | 8.06 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 35 | 264 | 17 | 15.52 | 7.54 |
In contrast, during IPL 2025, Bumrah led the Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack with an outstanding season, taking 18 wickets in 12 matches. Despite missing the first four games due to a back injury, he returned strongly and delivered what many analysts considered his most economical season, maintaining an economy rate of 6.68, the best in the league among bowlers with more than 10 wickets.Before the IPL, Bumrah was a key figure in India national cricket team’s successful title defence at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 8 matches. His campaign peaked in the final on March 8, 2026, where he was named Player of the Match for his outstanding figures of 4/15 against New Zealand national cricket team. Earlier, in a match against England at Wankhede Stadium, he reached the milestone of 500 international wickets by dismissing Harry Brook with the very first ball.
