3 Matches, 0 Wickets: Mumbai Indians 'Not Concerned' Over Jasprit Bumrah's Dry Spell

Mumbai Indians will be aiming for their second win of IPL 2026 when they host defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday evening. The five-time champions began their campaign with an impressive victory over Kolkata Knight Riders but then suffered two consecutive defeats, leaving them in the bottom half of the points table.

Their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has featured in all three matches so far. However, despite bowling the most overs for the team this season, he is yet to pick up a wicket. Across three matches, he has bowled 11 wicketless overs and conceded 88 runs.

Is that a cause for concern for MI?

“Sometimes the best form of attack is also defence. We’re not looking too much into the wicketless nature

of Jasprit Bumrah,” MI batting coach Kieron Pollard said on Saturday.

“In our camp, we are not concerned about Jasprit Bumrah. There’s no issues. You guys go into the intricacies of data and pace and wickets and all of that. We don’t look at cricket like that,” he added.

When asked about Bumrah’s dip in pace during their 27-run loss to Rajasthan Royals, Pollard replied, “If the ball is going at 100 knots out of the ground, you don’t want to fight fire with fire, right? You want to try something different.”

The absence of England all-rounder Will Jacks has also raised eyebrows, but Pollard said he is expected to link up with the squad “very soon”.

“We are expecting him very soon. As you alluded to fitness issues, to my knowledge, I don’t know anything about that,” he said.

Pollard also stressed the importance of flexibility, dismissing concerns that Tilak Varma’s lack of runs is linked to his batting position.

“Everyone is flexible so you’re not going to limit one particular number in terms of where they bat,” he said. “I think everything has to be what the team requires at that particular time because then we can argue the fact as well that Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) has batted (at No.) three for us and India and done well, so we don’t need to get into positions but what is required at that point in time.”