Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to… – Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to set new low

A Season to Forget for the Mumbai Indians Ace

The 2026 Indian Premier League season will go down as one of the most challenging chapters in the storied career of India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Absent from the Mumbai Indians’ final clash against the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, the 32-year-old concluded a campaign defined by uncharacteristic struggles and statistical anomalies. With only four wickets to his name throughout the tournament, this season stands as the pacer’s least productive since his entry into the league in 2015, where he secured three wickets across four appearances.

The Statistical Low Point

The numbers behind Bumrah’s 2026 season are nothing short of startling. Recording a bowling average of 102.5, the seamer has set an infamous benchmark in the history of the IPL. This figure surpasses the previous record for the worst bowling average in the competition’s history, held by former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who registered an average of 95 during the 2014 season.

To put this in perspective, the list of players struggling with high bowling averages historically features names like Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, and Krunal Pandya, whose averages typically peaked in the mid-60s. Interestingly, many of these players, including Ojha, Harbhajan, and Krunal, were representing the Mumbai Indians during their respective slumps, while Brett Lee endured his record with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011.

Reflecting on the Struggles

Bumrah’s lone highlight of the 2026 season was his performance against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, where he managed figures of 1/15. Beyond that, the precision and lethality that have become synonymous with his name were notably absent. The Mumbai Indians, as a unit, suffered alongside their star bowler, finishing in the ninth position with a meager eight points from 14 matches. They narrowly avoided last place only by virtue of a superior net run rate compared to the Lucknow Super Giants.

Expert Critique: Ravichandran Ashwin Speaks Out

The decline of the Mumbai Indians has drawn sharp criticism from within the cricketing fraternity. Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, recently expressed his dismay regarding the team’s lackluster performances. Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Ashwin did not mince words regarding the core composition of the MI squad.

“Mumbai’s side felt a bit strange this year, don’t know why. They have quality players, but it will not surprise me if they struggle for one more season,” Ashwin observed. He emphasized that the team structure appeared to be built around players who were far from their peak form, adding, “If MI don’t have a good season in 2027, I won’t be surprised.”

Ashwin further highlighted the specific struggles of their lead pacer, noting the historical significance of the performance. “Bumrah wasn’t playing today, and he has recorded the worst-ever bowling average in the history of the league. This is the first time any bowler has been part of a full season of the league and averaged over 100,” Ashwin remarked.

Looking Toward 2027

For a bowler of Bumrah’s caliber, 2026 is an aberration rather than a decline. However, the sheer magnitude of the unwanted record serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the high-pressure environment of the IPL. As the Mumbai Indians look to rebuild for 2027, the focus will undoubtedly be on restoring the confidence and form of their senior stars. Whether this season remains a statistical anomaly or the start of a period of transition remains the burning question for fans and analysts alike.