Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to…

A Historic Low for Mumbai Indians’ Premier Pacer

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has concluded on a highly disappointing note for Mumbai Indians (MI) and their premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. In their final group-stage encounter against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium, the team management decided to rest the 32-year-old spearhead. However, his absence on the field could not overshadow the statistical nightmare of his campaign. During this tournament, Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to average over three figures in a single edition of the tournament.

Bumrah’s campaign in IPL 2026 saw him secure mere four wickets across the entire season. For a bowler widely regarded as one of the best exponents of modern-day fast bowling, this output marks his worst-ever individual performance since the 2015 season, where he managed only three scalps from four matches. However, the most alarming statistic is his bowling average, which skyrocketed to an unprecedented 102.5. This now officially stands as the worst bowling average recorded by any bowler in a single season in the history of the league.

Analyzing the Numbers: A Historic Statistical Decline

To understand the gravity of Jasprit Bumrah’s difficult season, one must look at the historical precedents in the tournament’s history. Prior to this season, the record for the worst bowling average in an IPL season was held by former Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. Playing for Mumbai Indians during the 2014 edition, Ojha recorded a disappointing bowling average of 95. Bumrah’s average of 102.5 has bypassed that mark, making him the sole holder of this unwanted historical milestone.

Other prominent names who have endured challenging seasons in the past include legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, and all-rounder Krunal Pandya. However, their respective worst averages remained in the early to mid-60s. For instance, Brett Lee recorded a bowling average of 67 during the 2011 season while representing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Interestingly, a significant pattern emerges from these struggles: apart from Brett Lee’s stint with KKR, the other three bowlers—Pragyan Ojha, Harbhajan Singh, and Krunal Pandya—all registered their worst-ever season averages while representing the Mumbai Indians franchise.

Throughout this challenging IPL 2026 season, Bumrah’s solitary noteworthy performance came against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. In that specific fixture, the right-arm seamer produced a highly disciplined spell, returning figures of 1/15, which remained his most economical and effective outing of the entire year.

Ravichandran Ashwin Expresses Dismay Over Mumbai Indians’ Selection and Structure

The struggles of Mumbai Indians did not go unnoticed by the cricketing fraternity. Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his deep dismay over the performance of MI’s senior core and their overall campaign. The five-time champions endured a miserable tournament, finishing in the ninth position on the points table. Out of their 14 league games, Mumbai Indians managed to secure only eight points. They narrowly avoided the bottom spot of the table, escaping the wooden spoon solely due to a marginally superior net run-rate compared to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Ashwin offered a candid assessment of the franchise’s current state and raised concerns about their long-term direction. “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. Their team structure has players who aren’t at their best. If MI don’t have a good season in 2027, I won’t be surprised,” Ashwin remarked.

Ashwin also highlighted the historical significance of Bumrah’s statistical struggles during the final matchday analysis. Commenting on the fast bowler’s absence from the playing XI against Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin noted: “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.”

Looking Ahead to the 2027 Season

The alarming dip in form of their premier strike bowler, combined with structural imbalances within the playing squad, leaves Mumbai Indians with plenty of questions to answer ahead of the IPL 2027 cycle. For a franchise built on a legacy of clinical consistency and championship pedigree, a ninth-place finish is unacceptable. With senior players struggling to find their rhythm and the team dynamics appearing fragmented, the management faces a monumental task in rebuilding a competitive unit capable of challenging for the title once again.