Jasprit Bumrah’s start to the 2026 Indian Premier League has left Mumbai Indians fans uneasy. The right-arm speedster is yet to register a single wicket in this season, and MI have also slipped to a winless run in their most recent four outings. While the latest setback for the franchise arrived against Punjab Kings, a clip from Mumbai’s match versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru has now added a new layer of concern around Bumrah’s mindset.
In the footage, Bumrah is seen picking up a bowling marker and throwing it away in visible frustration. Moments later, he bends down and shouts at the pitch, with RCB batter Tim David appearing in the background. The scene quickly drew reaction online, especially given Bumrah’s reputation for composure and intensity without outward display.
The match itself had already set the tone for why Bumrah struggled. David produced a standout cameo against MI, smashing 34 runs off just 16 deliveries to help RCB post a huge total of 240/6. In response, Mumbai managed 222/5 but could not chase down the target.
Bumrah’s figures in that game reflected the wider wicket drought. He bowled his full quota of four overs, conceding 35 runs, yet again finishing without a wicket.
Social media posts captured the emotion of supporters watching the star pacer endure a difficult stretch. One reaction described the situation as painful to see, suggesting Bumrah’s struggles feel linked to the wider environment at the franchise. Another comment noted that fans were shocked to see Bumrah—typically smiling and controlled—looking visibly agitated on the field.
Why Bumrah is yet to take a wicket
As Bumrah’s wicketless run extended, multiple viewpoints emerged from former players and cricket commentators trying to explain the slump. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene offered one key angle after the match against Punjab Kings.
- Jayawardene said Bumrah has been bowling well, but MI have not created enough pressure during the powerplay, allowing batters to play with less risk against him.
- He added that opponents appear to believe they can afford to take their time rather than attack aggressively, which has reduced the chance of early breakthroughs.
- The coach insisted there is no single adjustment that can be pointed to as the reason for the lack of wickets, noting that MI have tried different approaches while Bumrah continues to execute his plans.
- Jayawardene also revealed that Bumrah began IPL 2026 carrying a niggle, which he believes initially stemmed from a lingering issue after the World Cup.
- He explained that the team focused on building Bumrah gradually, and that over recent matches his pace has increased as he became more comfortable.
- Jayawardene stressed that even when a bowler delivers well, luck can decide whether wickets arrive quickly, and that this phase might be one of those moments.
- He pointed out that Bumrah bowled some promising early deliveries to Shreyas Iyer, but the breakthrough did not come at that stage; once wickets begin to fall, he suggested Bumrah could become extremely difficult to stop.
With Bumrah still searching for his first wicket of the campaign, the clip’s frustration—combined with MI’s recent results—has only heightened the scrutiny on how the pacer and the team can turn performances into breakthroughs in the matches ahead.
