Jasprit Bumrah Struggles in IPL 2026: A Look at His Form and Future

Jasprit Bumrah, the pace spearhead for the Mumbai Indians, is facing a challenging season in IPL 2026, having gone wicketless in seven out of ten matches. Despite MI's recent victory over the Lucknow Super Giants, Bumrah's form has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that Bumrah's experimentation with his bowling technique may be affecting his rhythm and effectiveness. With the Mumbai Indians needing to secure wins in their remaining matches to keep playoff hopes alive, the focus is on whether Bumrah can regain his form and consistency in the crucial upcoming games.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 5, 2026, 17:16 IST

Bumrah's Wicket Drought Continues

In the IPL 2026 match against the Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium on May 4, Jasprit Bumrah, the leading bowler for the Mumbai Indians (MI), failed to take a wicket once again.

This marks the seventh time in ten matches that Bumrah has ended without a wicket, including a five-match streak without success, indicating a concerning dip in his performance this season.

Throughout the tournament, the 32-year-old has managed to secure only three wickets in three matches, raising questions about his rhythm and consistency, even as he continues to generate opportunities for MI during this challenging IPL season.

Bumrah's Bowling Statistics

Bumrah has bowled a total of 222 balls, conceding 329 runs, which results in an average of 109.66 and an economy rate of 8.89 across ten matches. His usual precision and wicket-taking prowess have been noticeably absent this season.

Expert Analysis on Bumrah's Performance

The discussion around Bumrah's unusual slump has intensified, especially as MI secured a vital six-wicket victory over LSG, yet he remained wicketless.

Sunil Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports after the match, noted that Bumrah seems to be experimenting with too many variations, which has disrupted his natural bowling rhythm and diminished his effectiveness.

Gavaskar remarked, "Bumrah is giving his all, but he appears to be overcomplicating things. He is creating opportunities for wickets, but luck is not favoring him. His pace has decreased, and this overexertion is detrimental to his performance."

He advised Bumrah to revert to his fundamental techniques, emphasizing that trying new approaches is impacting his rhythm and that luck has not been on his side.

Technical Issues Identified

Gavaskar also highlighted minor yet significant technical adjustments in Bumrah's bowling, indicating that his length has become longer, his line is drifting towards the leg stump, and he has been more prone to no-balls this season.

"His preferred slower ball length has shifted to a fuller length. The line that used to target the stumps is now veering towards the leg stump. Although he is not typically known for bowling no-balls, he has already delivered six or seven this season," Gavaskar explained.

Bumrah's No-Ball Concerns

In IPL 2026, Bumrah has bowled eight no-balls in ten matches, including three against the Lucknow Super Giants, one of which provided a reprieve to Himmat Singh, underscoring his struggle with discipline and consistency.

As the Mumbai Indians aim to win their remaining four matches to keep their playoff aspirations alive, Bumrah is expected to quickly regain his rhythm and restore his trademark control and wicket-taking ability during this critical phase of IPL 2026.