Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to… – Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to average over 100
A Challenging Campaign for the Mumbai Indians Star
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has concluded, and for Mumbai Indians (MI) stalwart Jasprit Bumrah, it will be remembered as a statistical anomaly he would rather forget. In a campaign that saw the franchise struggle to find its footing, the star pacer’s individual performance dipped significantly, leading to a milestone that reflects the difficulties faced by the team throughout the tournament.
The Numbers Behind the Struggle
Bumrah, who is widely considered one of the most lethal bowlers in world cricket, endured a difficult season, managing to claim only four wickets. This performance stands as his least productive since his 2015 season, where he picked up three scalps across four matches. However, the 2026 figures are amplified by the sheer volume of games played, resulting in a bowling average of 102.5. This statistic marks a somber entry into the league’s history books, as Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to maintain such a high average over the course of a full season.
To put this into perspective, the previous record for the worst bowling average in an IPL season was held by former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who recorded an average of 95 during the 2014 season. Other notable names on the list of historically difficult seasons include Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, and Krunal Pandya, though none reached the triple-digit threshold that Bumrah hit this year.
Contextualizing the Milestone
It is worth noting that for players like Ojha, Harbhajan, and Krunal, these difficult statistical spells occurred while playing for the Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, Brett Lee’s difficult outing occurred while he was representing the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011. For Bumrah, his most effective performance this season came during the match against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, where he returned figures of 1/15.
Ravichandran Ashwin Reflects on MI’s Woes
The sentiment surrounding the Mumbai Indians’ season has been one of disappointment, with veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offering a candid critique. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin did not mince words regarding the performance of the senior members within the MI setup. The franchise finished ninth in the standings, narrowly avoiding the bottom of the table due to a superior net run rate compared to the Lucknow Super Giants.
Ashwin remarked, “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.”
Regarding Bumrah specifically, Ashwin highlighted the unprecedented nature of the pacer’s statistics: “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 Toward 2027
As the curtains close on the 2026 IPL, the focus for Mumbai Indians shifts toward rebuilding and structural evaluation. For a player of Bumrah’s caliber, this season is likely an outlier rather than a decline in skill. Cricket fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the champion bowler bounces back in the next edition of the tournament. The road to recovery for both the player and the franchise remains a key narrative as they head into the off-season.
