Pollard Plays Down Bumrah Wicket Drought as MI Adjusts Batting Plans

Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard on Saturday played down any worry over Jasprit Bumrah’s ongoing wicket drought in the Indian Premier League, insisting it will not change the franchise’s plans as it takes a flexible view of Tilak Varma’s role in the batting order. MI, having started the IPL 2026 campaign with momentum but now coming off two straight defeats, are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday with the aim of halting their slide.

Pollard on Bumrah, Varma and team approach

1. Pollard said Bumrah’s lack of wickets is “not a concern,” arguing that a bowler’s value can still be seen in pressure-building rather than only the number of dismissals.
2. When asked about Bumrah appearing less penetrative against Rajasthan Royals—specifically with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looking aggressive—Pollard responded that if the ball is already traveling at extreme pace, it is not always useful to match fire with fire.
3. He added that within the MI camp, the coaching staff are not focused on the type of cricket-wicket narrative outsiders might chase, emphasising instead a broader, team-led perspective.
4. On Will Jacks’s situation, Pollard dismissed fears around a delayed arrival, saying the England all-rounder is expected to join the squad soon.
5. Pollard also noted that, ahead of the match, Mitchell Santner has been training well as the contest approaches.
6. Asked whether Tilak Varma’s shifting batting positions could be linked to a lack of runs, Pollard said MI will keep players flexible and will not restrict anyone to a single fixed slot in the order.
7. He explained that batting placement should be shaped by what the team needs at that particular stage, pointing to Suryakumar Yadav’s experience of batting at No. 3 for MI and India while still producing strong performances.

Advice on handling the young RR batter

1. Pollard warned against losing patience with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once opposition bowlers begin to study and adjust to his game.
2. He reflected on his own early years, saying that at 15 he was still at school playing club cricket and unsure about having a career, before praising the excitement of watching a young player rise quickly.
3. Pollard stressed that players should not be pushed to the margins after a couple of failures, noting that when opponents “figure him out,” teams sometimes “trim” a youngster and then move on.
4. He said his personal worry is the cycle of hype—when expectations run high, but a dip in form can lead to harsh reactions.

Tribute to Rohit and Kohli, and what franchise longevity means

1. Pollard also offered praise to Rohit Sharma for completing 15 years with Mumbai Indians and to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli, while insisting that the match on Sunday is still primarily about two teams competing rather than individual milestones.
2. He called the achievement of spending 15 years with one franchise a rare honour, adding that not many players can claim such a stretch.
3. Pollard said motivation differs from person to person, citing examples from the wider cricket world such as Imran Tahir playing into his mid-to-late 40s and MS Dhoni still taking the field at 44.
4. He noted that his own career has continued across locations into his late 30s, underlining that longevity is driven by different personal factors.
5. Finally, Pollard argued that people often focus too much on age and what players “should” be doing, whereas he believes the right approach is to keep honouring those who have delivered joy and impact over time—letting them decide when the moment is right to step away.