Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is going through an uncharacteristic lean patch in IPL 2026. Known for troubling the best batters in the world, Bumrah has been taken apart this season, with little going his way. In five matches so far, he has conceded 164 runs without picking up a wicket, operating at an economy rate of 8.63.Against Punjab Kings, there were expectations of a turnaround, but the struggles continued as he returned figures of 0/41. The frustration was visible, with Bumrah seen in a viral video collecting the ball after his over and hurling it in anger.Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan also analysed Bumrah’s dip in form on his YouTube channel and pointed to a possible reason. He highlighted the excessive use of slower deliveries by the Mumbai Indians spearhead.“Wickets from Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling are very important. There is no major issue with his form, but his average speed this season has been around 130 kmph. He has been using the slower ball about 44 per cent of the time, meaning almost every second ball is a slower one,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.“Now why is Jasprit Bumrah doing this? I think this needs a deeper look. If he bowls more fast deliveries and reduces the percentage of slower balls, the results will come. It is a very simple solution. Bumrah does not need coaching, but the numbers are showing what is happening,” he added
“44 percent slower balls and an average speed below 130 kmph means he needs to increase his pace. Obviously, if you bowl more slow deliveries, your average speed will drop. But if you bring the slower ball percentage down to around 35 percent. If you keep it around 30 to 35 percent and bowl more fast deliveries, your slower balls will become more effective. And if you also get seam and swing, then you can dismiss batters as well,” Pathan said.Mumbai Indians have now slipped to their fourth straight defeat of the season and are placed ninth on the points table. They will next take on Gujarat Titans on April 20.
