Jasprit Bumrah's IPL 2026 nightmare: 2 wickets in 8 games, average 132

Key facts

• Jasprit Bumrah has taken only 2 wickets in 8 IPL 2026 matches at an average of 132.
• Mumbai Indians are 9th on the points table, facing a tough playoff battle.
• Shaun Pollock suggested a 'hangover' from the T20 World Cup led to overuse of slower balls.
• Simon Doull said Bumrah's pace is down and batters are anticipating his slower ball.
• Krishnamachari Srikkanth urged Bumrah to bowl at full throttle like Jofra Archer.
• Bumrah conceded 54 runs without a wicket against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.
• MI batting coach Kieron Pollard defended Bumrah, saying he will bounce back.

A precipitous decline

Jasprit Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket, has endured a catastrophic IPL 2026 campaign. In eight matches for Mumbai Indians, he has taken just two wickets while conceding runs at an average of 132 — a figure that would have seemed unthinkable before the tournament. His economy rate, once a hallmark of his control, has ballooned, and his team languishes in ninth place on the points table, their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The 32-year-old entered the season on a high, having played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup title defence. But the transition to the IPL has been jarring. Bumrah's struggles have become one of the defining narratives of the tournament, prompting scrutiny from former players and pundits alike.

The slow-ball trap

A recurring theme in Bumrah's performances has been his increased reliance on slower deliveries, particularly with the new ball. Former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock attributed this to a 'hangover' from the T20 World Cup, where slower balls were highly effective on worn surfaces. 'I think it was also influenced a little bit by the back end of T20 World Cup. Because of the nature of surfaces, lots of games taken place, the slower ball became so effective. I think at the start of this tournament, it was kind of a hangover of that one was effective, let's stick with it,' Pollock said on Cricbuzz. Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull offered a sharper critique, arguing that Bumrah has 'gone over the top with the slower balls.' Doull noted that Bumrah's pace has dropped and that batters are now sitting on the slower ball, anticipating it. 'His slow ball is a surprise and it's a brilliant slow ball, but people are actually sitting there waiting for it a little bit this year,' Doull added.

Calls for a return to pace

Former India batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth expressed disappointment with Bumrah's tactics, particularly in the powerplay. 'Even Bumrah bowled too many slower ones. You have the new ball with you and two left-handers in front of you. Try to nick them off. Bumrah bowling so many slower deliveries with the new ball is of no use,' Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. He urged Bumrah to emulate Jofra Archer, who has taken 14 wickets in nine matches for Rajasthan Royals by bowling at full throttle and nicking batters off behind and in the slips. Srikkanth also raised the possibility of fatigue. '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,' he added.

Numbers that tell the story

Bumrah's statistical decline is stark. In eight matches, he has bowled at an average pace lower than his career norm, and his two wickets have come at a cost of 132 runs each — the worst average among frontline bowlers in the tournament. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, he conceded 54 runs without a wicket, a performance that encapsulated his season. Despite the lack of wickets, Bumrah still maintains the best economy rate among Mumbai Indians bowlers, a testament to his underlying control. But that metric offers little consolation when the team is losing and the wickets column remains nearly empty.

Defence from the MI camp

Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard came to Bumrah's defence in a post-match press conference, highlighting the pressures of constant public scrutiny. 'We are unfortunate, you know, to always be in the public eye. So when we do bad, it's always being highlighted. But when normal people have jobs and they send the wrong email, they have the opportunity to edit the words and all these things. We don't have the opportunity. So it's fair and fine when you're not doing well, you accept certain things,' Pollard said. 'And knowing the individual, I know he's going to bounce back with greater heights and take wickets,' he added.

What lies ahead

With Mumbai Indians needing a dramatic turnaround to reach the playoffs, Bumrah's form will be critical. Experts agree that a return to his natural game — bowling at pace, hitting a good length, and using the slower ball only as a surprise — is essential. The T20 World Cup hangover, if that is indeed the cause, must be shaken off quickly. Bumrah's next outing will be closely watched. Can he rediscover the zip that made him the world's most feared bowler? Or will this season go down as an anomaly in an otherwise stellar career? The answers will shape not only Mumbai Indians' fate but also the narrative around one of cricket's greats.

The bottom line

• Bumrah's IPL 2026 has been disastrous: 2 wickets in 8 games at an average of 132.
• Overuse of slower deliveries, possibly a hangover from the T20 World Cup, is a key factor.
• Experts including Pollock, Doull, and Srikkanth have urged Bumrah to bowl faster and use his natural weapons.
• Mumbai Indians are 9th on the points table, with Bumrah's form central to their playoff hopes.
• MI coach Kieron Pollard has backed Bumrah to bounce back from the slump.
• Bumrah's next performances will determine whether this season is a blip or a sign of decline.