New Delhi. A strange scene is being seen in the Indian Premier League 2026. Jasprit Bumrah, one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world, has not been able to take a single wicket so far. Despite bowling 15 overs against four different teams, on three different grounds, the wicket has seemed to run away from them but is this really a matter of concern for Mumbai Indians, or is it just the calm before the storm?
His ball speed appeared to be a bit low against Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. It was clear that he was not bowling with his full strength. In such a situation, the big question is whether Bumrah is playing by hiding his injury or is he forced to take the field despite not being fit under the pressure of the franchise.
It also makes sense that, unlike other centrally contracted Indian bowlers, Bumrah had spent more time at the Center of Excellence (CoE), having joined Mumbai Indians just before their first match. In such a situation, he was bowling after saving himself a little. It is possible that this was on the instructions of the CoE medical team, or his own decision to avoid injury. Whatever the reason, his pace was low, but his bowling was not bad. His economy rate was the best in the first two matches. However, the situation started looking a bit suspicious after Vaibhav Suryavanshi attacked him in Guwahati. When this 15 year old batsman hit him for a six on the very first ball, it was expected that Bumrah would adopt an aggressive stance, but it did not happen.
No wicket from 20.2 overs
Bumrah also failed to take wickets against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, his speed looked better in this match and he appeared to be in good rhythm. Despite not getting wickets, he remained the most economical bowler of the team. Among the bowlers who bowled 15 or more overs in IPL 2026, only three have a better economy than him. Still it is true that wickets are not available. Now 122 balls i.e. 20.2 overs have passed since Bumrah took the wicket. The last time he took a wicket was against Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator of IPL 2025. Now the question arises whether Mumbai Indians should worry?
Bumrah’s performance in last 5 innings:
0/40 (4) vs Punjab Kings, Ahmedabad
0/35 (4) vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Wankhede
0/21 (4) vs Delhi Capitals, Delhi
0/32 (3) vs Rajasthan Royals, Guwahati
0/35 (4) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Wankhede
The answer to this is both yes and no. First of all we have to understand why Bumrah is not able to take wickets. RCB के खिलाफ मैच में उनके इस्तेमाल को देखें. He bowled the fourth and sixth overs in the powerplay, when the ball was not new. In such a situation, he did not get any special help. Trent Boult and Hardik Pandya had already spent runs and could not even take wickets. This means that Bumrah has to bowl on defensive line and length. He cannot take risks to take wickets, because doing so may leak runs. He did not get a chance to bowl for 10 overs. When he came back, RCB’s score was 194/3 in 16 overs and the match was largely out of hand. एक बार फिर उनका काम सिर्फ रन रोकना था. That means Mumbai Indians are using him not as a wicket-taker but as a troubleshooter, a bowler who can slow down the run rate, but in the process, they are blunting the edge of their most lethal weapon.
It is unusual to remain wicketless for four matches, but it does not mean that Bumrah is a matter of concern for Mumbai Indians. His pace is coming back and his accuracy is also looking better, it is just a matter of time when he will take wickets again in IPL 2026.
