Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to… – Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to average over 100

A Season to Forget for the MI Spearhead

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will certainly not be one that Jasprit Bumrah looks back on with fondness. Known globally as one of the most lethal and consistent fast bowlers in the modern game, the Mumbai Indians pacer faced an unprecedented struggle throughout this campaign. Missing the final encounter against the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium served as the final chapter in a tournament defined by frustration and statistical anomalies.

The Numbers Behind the Struggle

Throughout the 2026 season, Bumrah managed to claim just four wickets. This tally represents his poorest performance since his debut season in 2015, where he picked up three wickets in four matches. However, it is the efficiency—or lack thereof—that has drawn significant attention from analysts and fans alike. The pacer finished the season with a staggering bowling average of 102.5. This figure is not only his personal worst but officially stands as the worst bowling average recorded by any player in the history of the league.

To put this into perspective, the previous record for the worst bowling average in an IPL season belonged to former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who averaged 95 during the 2014 season. Other notable names previously associated with high-average struggles include Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, and Krunal Pandya, all of whom saw their averages reach the 60s in various campaigns. Interestingly, most of these players—excluding Brett Lee, who struggled while with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011—faced these challenges while representing the Mumbai Indians.

Reflecting on the 2026 Campaign

Bumrah’s best figures of the season, a modest 1/15, came during the clash against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Beyond that performance, the rhythm and control that usually define his bowling appeared elusive. His inability to pick up wickets consistently placed immense pressure on the rest of the Mumbai Indians bowling unit, contributing to the team’s overall poor form.

Ashwin’s Critique of Mumbai Indians

The dismal performance of the Mumbai Indians, who finished the season in the ninth position with only eight points from 14 games, has invited harsh scrutiny. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin provided a candid assessment of the side’s failure on his YouTube channel. Ashwin expressed confusion regarding the team’s composition and performance, noting that despite having a roster filled with high-quality talent, the side appeared disjointed and ineffective.

“Mumbai’s side felt a bit strange this year, I don’t know why,” Ashwin remarked. “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 specifically highlighted the irony of Bumrah’s situation, pointing out that for the first time in the tournament’s history, a bowler had managed to play an entire season while maintaining an average north of 100. This milestone is one that Bumrah will surely be keen to put behind him as he looks toward the future. For Mumbai Indians, the road ahead involves significant structural questions and the need for a major reset before they can reclaim their status as title contenders in 2027.