NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2026 campaign has hit a rough patch. The pace spearhead, celebrated for breaking apart top-order batting groups, is currently finding wickets hard to come by. After ten matches, Bumrah has managed only three wickets—an output that has played a major role in Mumbai Indians’ struggles this season. Mumbai, who ended a three-match losing run with a six-wicket triumph over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, are still stuck in ninth place in the points standings.
Bumrah was far from his usual best against Lucknow Super Giants. He finished wicketless and also delivered three no-balls during the encounter, with two of those coming in a single over. Even though Mumbai Indians secured the win, his bowling read poorly on paper: 4 overs, 0 maidens, 45 runs, 0 wickets, along with 3 no-balls and 3 wides.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was sharply critical of Bumrah’s outing. He pointed out that the star pacer overstepped twice during the 14th over, which then ballooned into a nine-ball spell. Gavaskar’s message was direct: conceding no-balls in T20 cricket is not acceptable.
“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.
When Bumrah bowled back-to-back no-balls in the 14th over, the broadcast cameras cut to the Mumbai Indians dugout, where head coach Mahela Jayawardene and bowling coach Lasith Malinga were seen looking visibly disappointed.
After the focus shifted to Malinga, Gavaskar remarked, “Yes, bowling coach. This is a big one.”
With Bumrah struggling, Mumbai Indians still managed to get the job done, driven by a strong batting response. Rohit Sharma returned with authority after an injury-enforced break, scoring 84, while Ryan Rickelton played a powerful innings of 83 to help steer Mumbai to victory over Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets.
Rohit and Rickelton combined for their third century partnership in IPL history, this time producing a 143-run stand that set the platform for Mumbai’s chase. Mumbai Indians then successfully chased down Lucknow’s 228/5, reaching 229/4 in 18.4 overs.
Mumbai Indians’ next match will be against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 10.
