Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to… – Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to set unwanted mark

A Season to Forget for the Mumbai Indians Ace

The 2026 Indian Premier League season will be remembered for many reasons, but for Mumbai Indians fans, it will likely be cataloged as a campaign they would prefer to erase from memory. Among the many disappointments, the performance of their lead seamer stands out as a statistical anomaly. In a surprising development that has left cricket pundits and fans alike stunned, Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to maintain an average of over 100 runs per wicket across a full season in the league’s history.

The Statistical Breakdown of a Challenging Campaign

The figures associated with Bumrah’s 2026 stint are unprecedented for a bowler of his caliber. Recording a staggering bowling average of 102.5, the 32-year-old found himself in uncharted and unwelcome territory. To put this in perspective, the previous record for the worst bowling average in the history of the league belonged to former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who recorded an average of 95 during the 2014 season. Other notable names previously associated with high bowling averages include legends like Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, and Krunal Pandya, though their figures generally hovered in the 60s.

Bumrah’s struggle for rhythm was evident throughout the campaign. His most effective outing came in a match against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, where he managed figures of 1/15. Unfortunately, such displays were few and far between. By the end of the season, he had secured only four wickets in total—a tally that matches his worst-ever performance dating back to the 2015 season, where he managed just three scalps from four games.

Ashwin Weighs in on the Mumbai Indians’ Woes

The failure of the team to perform has prompted widespread discussion regarding the structure of the squad. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, while analyzing the season on his YouTube channel, expressed significant dismay over the performance of the senior core within the Mumbai Indians lineup. The franchise finished in the ninth position, narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon only by virtue of a superior net run-rate compared to the Lucknow Super Giants.

“Mumbai’s side felt a bit strange this year, don’t know why,” Ashwin remarked during his analysis. “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 further highlighted the specific struggles of their frontline pacer, stating, “Bumrah wasn’t playing in the final game, 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

The contrast between Bumrah’s usual brilliance and his 2026 performance is stark. As one of the most feared bowlers in international cricket, his inability to impact the game with the ball played a significant role in the Mumbai Indians’ inability to gain momentum. With the team finishing with only eight points from their 14 games, the management will undoubtedly face tough questions during the off-season. Whether this was merely a temporary dip in form or a sign of deeper tactical issues within the camp remains to be seen. For now, the cricket world is left to reflect on a statistical anomaly that highlights just how unpredictable the game can be, even for the very best in the business.