Jasprit Bumrah is having a rare dismal run in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Starting from IPL 2016 – the season where she actually peaked for the first time in the league – there has not been a single edition where Bumrah’s account has read less than five wickets at the halfway mark.
Bumrah, who entered IPL 2026 after topping the list for most wickets in the T20 World Cup 2026, has managed just two wickets in his first eight games so far – a rare sight from India’s premier pacer.
His only two wickets so far are Chennai Super Kings’ Kartik Sharma and Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan. He surprisingly went wicketless in the first five matches for Mumbai Indians in the 2026 season. Bumrah’s bowling fires opened up again against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where the right-arm fast bowler conceded 54 runs without success in four overs.
Why should Bumrah follow Archer?
Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former Indian cricketer and member of the 1983 World Cup winning team, pointed out Bumrah’s weaknesses and asked the Indian paceman to take a leaf out of Jofro Archer’s book. The Englishman is among the top wicket takers in IPL 2026 with 14 scalps.
In fact, Archer has picked wickets on the first ball of the innings on three occasions for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming season. According to Srikkanth, Bumrah made the mistake of bowling too many slower deliveries with the new ball rather than going with full aggression.
“Even Bumrah bowled too many slower deliveries. You have the new ball with you and two left-handers in front of you. Try to cut them off. Bumrah bowling so many slower deliveries with the new ball is useless,” Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Check out what Archer has been up to in the last few games. Plays full throttle and hits shots caught behind and at slip. That is what Bumrah should strive for,” the former BCCI chief selector added.
Srikkanth didn’t mince words when he said that none of Bumrah’s deliveries looked threatening against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium. “Bumrah is not doing the zip at all. Not a single delivery looked threatening. Maybe he is tired so I don’t blame him. But he is clearly not at his best. He is trying but looks very ordinary,” added Srikkanth.
What’s next for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026?
Mumbai Indians have another massive clash against Chennai Super Kings on May 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians posted a mammoth 243/5, powered by Ryan Rickelton’s maiden IPL hundred -123 not out in 55 balls. In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the target with eight balls to spare.
Follow IPL 2026 live updates with complete IPL 2026 schedule and IPL 2026 points table. Also know who is currently leading the IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap charts.
