Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2026 campaign has hit a rocky patch, with the Mumbai Indians star struggling to find his usual rhythm. In the 19th season of the tournament, the speedster has not only been short on wickets, but has also been plagued by a troubling rise in no-balls—an issue that came under intense scrutiny during Mumbai’s clash with the Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night.
Bumrah’s no-ball problem builds in IPL 2026
- Bumrah, 32, has already delivered eight no-balls across IPL 2026.
- Three of those no-balls were bowled in the match against Lucknow on Monday night.
- During Lucknow’s innings, in the 14th over, Bumrah was called for two no-balls, drawing sharp criticism from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
- Gavaskar pointed out that Bumrah had dismissed Himmat Singh on the third delivery of the 14th over, but the delivery ended up being ruled a no-ball; despite the setback, Himmat later reached 40 and helped push Lucknow beyond the 220-run mark.
- When Bumrah bowled consecutive no-balls in that same over, the broadcast showed Mumbai’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene and bowling coach Lasith Malinga, both visibly struggling to react.
- After the camera panned to Malinga, Gavaskar added, “Yes, bowling coach. This is a big one.”
Gavaskar made his displeasure clear on air, stressing that no-balls are not something a top professional should be committing in T20 cricket. “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,” Gavaskar said during the broadcast.
No wickets and a tough run for Mumbai’s spearhead
- Against Lucknow, Bumrah finished wicketless, conceding 45 runs in his four overs.
- Across 10 IPL 2026 matches, he has managed only three wickets.
- Commentator Deep Dasgupta summed up the season’s theme by saying it “kind of summarises the season as well” after Bumrah bowled back-to-back no-balls.
The broader concern is that this is among the most difficult IPL seasons for Bumrah, with both control and wicket-taking effectiveness falling short of expectations.
Match details: Lucknow set the target, Mumbai chased it comfortably
- Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bowl first.
- Lucknow made 228/5 in 20 overs.
- Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 63, Mitchell Marsh contributed 44, Himmat Singh struck 40, and Aiden Markram finished unbeaten on 31.
- In reply, Mumbai chased down the total with six wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining.
- Rohit Sharma led the chase with 84, while Ryan Rickelton also played a key innings of 83.
