Sunil Gavaskar Blasts Jasprit Bumrah Over No-Ball Errors in IPL 2026

Key facts

• Jasprit Bumrah has bowled eight no-balls in IPL 2026, including three in the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.
• Bumrah dismissed Himmat Singh off a no-ball in the 14th over; the batter went on to score 40 runs.
• Bumrah has taken only three wickets in 10 matches this season, one of his worst IPL campaigns.
• Sunil Gavaskar said on commentary: 'Do not tell me again... That is not acceptable. You are a professional cricketer.'
• Mumbai Indians chased down LSG's 228/5 with six wickets and 10 balls to spare, thanks to Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83).
• LSG's Nicholas Pooran scored a 21-ball 63, his maiden half-century of the season.
• Mumbai Indians have six points from 10 matches; LSG remain bottom with four points from nine games.

Gavaskar's Fiery On-Air Rebuke

Sunil Gavaskar, the former India captain and World Cup winner, lost his temper during the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night. As Jasprit Bumrah delivered two no-balls in the 14th over of LSG's innings, Gavaskar, on commentary, erupted: "Do not tell me again. Do not tell me. Do not tell me that Bumrah has bowled a no-ball. That is not acceptable. That is not acceptable. You are a professional cricketer; it is not acceptable. Wides, yes, I understand, but no balls, no." The cameras captured Mumbai head coach Mahela Jayawardene and bowling coach Lasith Malinga looking stunned. When the feed showed Malinga, Gavaskar added, "Yes, bowling coach. This is a big one."

A Season of Uncharacteristic Errors

Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the world's best bowlers across formats, has endured a torrid IPL 2026 season. The 32-year-old has bowled eight no-balls in the tournament so far, with three coming in Monday's match alone. In the 14th over, he dismissed Himmat Singh off the third delivery, only for the umpire to signal a no-ball. The reprieved batter went on to score 40 runs, helping LSG post 228/5. Bumrah finished wicketless, conceding 45 runs in his four overs. In 10 matches this season, he has taken just three wickets — a stark contrast to his usual dominance. Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta remarked, "Kind of summarises the season as well," as Bumrah bowled back-to-back no-balls.

Mumbai's Chase and Rohit-Rickelton Stand

Despite Bumrah's struggles, Mumbai Indians chased down the target with six wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare. Openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton put on a 143-run partnership, with Rohit scoring 84 off 44 balls and Rickelton smashing 83 off 32. It was Mumbai's third win in 10 matches, lifting them to six points. For Lucknow, Nicholas Pooran scored a blistering 21-ball 63, his first half-century of the season. Mitchell Marsh contributed 44, while Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 31. Captain Rishabh Pant managed only 15, continuing his underwhelming campaign. LSG remain bottom of the table with four points from nine games.

The No-Ball Problem and Professional Standards

Gavaskar's criticism zeroed in on the fundamental issue of no-balls, which he deemed unacceptable for a professional cricketer of Bumrah's calibre. "Wides, yes, I understand, but no balls, no," he said, drawing a distinction between errors of line and the more basic error of overstepping. The incident has sparked debate about Bumrah's form and the pressure on Mumbai Indians, who are fighting to stay in playoff contention. Bumrah's eight no-balls this season are a significant increase from his previous IPL campaigns, where he averaged fewer than two per season. The mechanical flaw has coincided with a drop in wicket-taking, raising questions about his workload and rhythm.

What Lies Ahead for Bumrah and Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians' playoff qualification remains precarious. With only six points from 10 matches, they need to win most of their remaining games to have a chance. Bumrah's form will be critical to their hopes. The team's bowling attack, led by the struggling pacer, has been inconsistent. For Bumrah, the immediate task is to rectify his no-ball issue and rediscover his wicket-taking touch. Gavaskar's public rebuke, while harsh, reflects the high standards expected of a player of his stature. The coming matches will test both Bumrah's resilience and Mumbai's ability to mount a comeback.

The bottom line

• Sunil Gavaskar publicly criticized Jasprit Bumrah for bowling no-balls, calling it unacceptable for a professional cricketer.
• Bumrah has bowled eight no-balls in IPL 2026, including three in the match against LSG, and has taken only three wickets in 10 matches.
• Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets, with Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83) leading the chase.
• LSG's Nicholas Pooran scored a 21-ball 63, his first half-century of the season, but his team remains bottom of the table.
• Bumrah's struggles highlight a rare poor patch for the star pacer, raising concerns about his form and Mumbai's playoff hopes.