NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2026 run turned into a season to forget, with his campaign ending on an unwanted statistical low point. The Mumbai Indians speedster was left out for the franchise’s final league match against Rajasthan Royals, and he finished the tournament with only four wickets from 13 appearances.
His numbers worsened further when his bowling average was assessed across the competition. Bumrah’s average of 102.50 has been recorded as the worst ever for any bowler in T20 history who has bowled at least 40 overs in a single tournament.
Quick facts
- Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2026 ended with an unwanted record: a bowling average of 102.50.
- It was the worst such average in T20 history for a bowler who bowled 40+ overs in one tournament.
- Bumrah finished with four wickets in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians.
- He was rested for Mumbai Indians’ final league game against Rajasthan Royals.
- Coach Mahela Jayawardene cited fitness issues, saying Bumrah carried a niggle since the T20 World Cup.
- Bumrah has been rested for India’s upcoming home series against Afghanistan.
The disappointing campaign has also come as a jolt because Bumrah had entered the IPL after a strong T20 World Cup. In that tournament, he played a key role in India’s title-winning journey.
Beyond Bumrah’s personal struggles, Mumbai Indians as a unit had a difficult year overall. The team failed to find momentum, and they were eliminated from the playoff race well before the business end of the league stage.
Fitness niggle and altered match plans
Jayawardene pointed to fitness as the central thread behind Bumrah’s dip in output. He said the fast bowler had been carrying a minor issue since the T20 World Cup, which, in turn, disrupted both his rhythm and his pace during the IPL.
“Coming back from the World Cup as well, he had a slight niggle which he played through the World Cup,” Jayawardene said. “So, you could see the pace dropped because of that.”
The coach also suggested that opponents were able to plan more effectively against Mumbai’s bowling group this season. With other bowlers failing to tighten the contest from the other end, teams did not need to fear as much sustained pressure around Bumrah’s spells.
He added that the focus should not shift to panic about Bumrah’s immediate struggles. “I wouldn’t worry about Booms. I think he’s in good spirits, and he will come back strong,” Jayawardene said.
Looking ahead, Bumrah has now been rested for India’s next home series against Afghanistan. The team management’s hope is that he regains full fitness ahead of a packed international calendar later this year.
