NEW DELHI: Pacer Jasprit Bumrah endured one of the toughest seasons of his T20 career as his IPL 2026 campaign ended with an unwanted record. The Mumbai Indians pacer was rested for the team’s final league game against Rajasthan Royals, finishing the season with just four wickets in 13 matches. Bumrah ended with a bowling average of 102.50, the worst ever for any bowler in T20 history who has bowled 40 or more overs in a single tournament.The poor campaign came as a surprise because Bumrah had entered the IPL after a successful T20 World Cup, where he played a major role in India’s title-winning run. However, Mumbai Indians also struggled badly this season and were knocked out of the playoff race early.One major reason behind Bumrah’s poor form was fitness issues. Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene revealed that the fast bowler had been carrying a niggle since the T20 World Cup, which affected both his rhythm and pace during the tournament.“I think coming back from the World Cup as well, he [Bumrah] had a slight niggle which he played with through the World Cup,” Jayawardene said.“So, you could see the pace… dropped because of that.”Jayawardene also said teams approached Bumrah differently this season because Mumbai’s other bowlers failed to build pressure from the opposite end.“I wouldn’t worry about Booms. I think he’s in good spirits, and he will come back strong,” he added.Bumrah has now been rested for India’s upcoming home series against Afghanistan as the team management hopes he regains full fitness before a busy international season later this year.
