Mumbai Indians are facing a big problem in IPL 2026. Jasprit Bumrah, their main bowler, has not taken a single wicket this season. He has bowled 114 balls without success, which is a major concern for the team.
MI’s bowling depends heavily on Bumrah to give early breakthroughs. But with him not taking wickets, the pressure on other bowlers has increased.
Other bowlers are also struggling:
| Bowler | Performance Issue |
|---|---|
| Deepak Chahar | Economy above 13 |
| Shardul Thakur | Economy above 13 |
| Trent Boult | Only 1 wicket, economy 12.2 |
| Mitchell Santner | Looks tired after World Cup |
| Allah Ghazanfar | Economy above 10 |
Because of this, MI are finding it hard to control matches with the ball.
Bumrah’s Unusual Form Dip
Bumrah’s poor form becomes more noticeable because the rest of the bowling unit is also underperforming.
Here are MI’s bowling stats in IPL 2026:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total wickets | 18 (lowest) |
| Team economy | 11.34 (worst) |
| Bowling average | 54 (worst) |
Bumrah has now gone 146 balls without taking a wicket, which is the longest dry spell of his T20 career.
This is surprising because just before IPL, he performed very well in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he took 14 wickets in 8 matches.
Longest Wicketless Streaks in IPL (Fast Bowlers)
| Bowler | Balls Without Wicket | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Praveen Kumar | 196 | 2011–2012 |
| Brett Lee | 177 | 2009–2011 |
| Ishant Sharma | 169 | 2016–2019 |
| Praveen Kumar | 163 | 2015–2016 |
| Kieron Pollard | 150 | 2013–2014 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 146* | 2025–Present |
Bumrah is now close to entering the top of this unwanted list.
Not All Bad: Bumrah Still Economical
Even though Bumrah is not taking wickets, he is still bowling economically.
- Bumrah’s economy rate: 8.63
- Better than most MI bowlers
This shows that he is still controlling runs, but not getting wickets.
So, the problem is not just Bumrah, but the entire bowling unit.
Is Bumrah Really 100% Fit?
There are questions about Bumrah’s fitness.
After the T20 World Cup, he had a slight injury and joined MI late. He did not bowl fully until just before the first match.
Some key observations:
- He started the season with lower pace (mid-130s)
- His rhythm did not look perfect
- He looked slightly uncomfortable early on
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene shared an update:
- Bumrah had a small niggle after the World Cup
- The team is slowly building his fitness
- His pace has improved in recent matches
- He looks more comfortable now
The coach also said that luck has not been on Bumrah’s side. He bowled well in some matches but did not get wickets.
What’s Next for Bumrah and MI?
Bumrah is known for making strong comebacks. Even without wickets, his control is still valuable.
If he starts picking wickets:
- His confidence will increase
- MI’s bowling attack will improve
- The team can bounce back in the tournament
For now, MI are closely managing his workload and waiting for him to return to his best form.
Final Thoughts
Jasprit Bumrah may not be at 100% yet, but he is slowly getting back to rhythm. His current form is not just about fitness, but also about lack of support from other bowlers.
Mumbai Indians need their full bowling unit to perform, not just Bumrah. If that happens, the team still has a chance to turn their IPL 2026 season around.
