Jasprit Bumrah finally broke through for his first wicket in IPL 2026 after a run of six straight matches without one. The turnaround came as Mumbai Indians produced a commanding, all-round display to beat Gujarat Titans decisively, and it also prompted fresh discussion around Bumrah’s recent rhythm and confidence.
Quick facts
At a glance
- Jasprit Bumrah took his first wicket of IPL 2026 after six wicketless matches.
- Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Titans emphatically after a dominant all-round performance.
- MI were reduced to 44/3 in the powerplay before rebuilding via Naman Dhir (45) and Tilak Verma.
- Tilak Verma smashed an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls to lift MI to 199/5.
- Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 100 in 15.5 overs.
- Kagiso Rabada led the bowling for GT with 3/33, while Ashwani delivered a career-best 4/24.
- Allah Ghazanfar and Mitchell Santner took two wickets each for MI.
After the early wobble, Mumbai Indians looked like a side finding its centre again. Dhir’s 45 helped steady the innings, and Tilak Verma then took charge with a brutal, pressure-handling knock that ended with 101 not out off just 45 deliveries. With that innings, MI posted a strong total of 199/5.
Gujarat Titans struggled to establish any momentum in their chase. They were repeatedly pinned back, and the innings never gained real traction as they collapsed to 100 all out in 15.5 overs—far short of the target set by Mumbai.
Bowling impact turns the match
For Gujarat, Kagiso Rabada was the most effective with figures of 3/33, while Mohammed Siraj kept things relatively tight and economical. However, MI’s attack controlled the tempo and the wickets kept falling at key moments.
Ashwani was the standout for Mumbai with a career-best 4/24, and he received support from Allah Ghazanfar and Mitchell Santner, who both finished with two wickets apiece. The combination ensured Gujarat never recovered, handing Mumbai a comprehensive win.
The match also carried a bigger storyline for Bumrah. Despite producing promising bowling spells earlier in the season, he had gone wicketless for a stretch that dated back to the playoffs of last year, and this breakthrough marked his longest spell without wickets in IPL history. It was a positive step for the spearhead as Mumbai pushed their campaign forward.
Ashwin on Bumrah’s dip
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin weighed in on why Bumrah’s wickets had dried up, suggesting that outside narratives may have affected the pacer’s rhythm. Speaking on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat,” Ashwin said that Bumrah had looked sharp in the opening matches, but the team’s results and the talk around his wicket drought likely added pressure.
Ashwin pointed out that as losses mounted, the narrative that Bumrah “was not getting wickets” became a mental burden. He argued that once a wicket finally comes, it is often the trigger that helps a bowler return to their usual standards, adding that Bumrah may not have looked like himself in the last couple of games but could be close to his best again.
He further noted that Bumrah appeared a touch off his norm during encounters against Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In those matches, Ashwin said Bumrah conceded runs and seemed uncharacteristically frustrated—details that supported the idea that form and confidence were being stretched.
Hardik Pandya backed to find form
Ashwin also expressed confidence in Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya regaining his batting touch, particularly in the wake of the team’s recent win. He stressed that Hardik has not yet produced a defining innings this season, but believes one impactful knock could shift both the player’s mindset and the team’s momentum.
Ashwin highlighted that Hardik has still not “opened up” with the bat this term and suggested that the captain role comes with pressure that can seep into batting. With the breakthrough win, he felt it would become easier for Hardik to rediscover his mojo and start delivering under pressure.
So far in the season, Hardik has reached the 20-run mark only once in five innings. His tally stands at 96 runs at an average of 24.00, with a strike rate of over 143, and a highest score of 40—numbers that set the stage for a potential jump in his next innings.
