Bumrah Bowling Well, But Unit Lacks Penetration: MI Coach Jayawardene

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has come out in strong support of Jasprit Bumrah amid mounting criticism and online trolling , even as the franchise endures a worrying slump in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading fast bowlers, is yet to pick up a wicket after five matches this season an unprecedented drought that has sparked intense scrutiny on social media. The lean patch has coincided with a difficult run for Mumbai Indians, who have now lost four matches on the trot, raising concerns over both individual form and team performance .

The latest setback came against Punjab Kings, who chased down a target of 196 with ease. Bumrah conceded 41 runs in his four overs, but Jayawardene insisted the numbers do not reflect the quality of his bowling.

“Bumrah is bowling well; the issue is that we are not creating enough pressure in the Power Play,” Jayawardene said. “Opposition batters are choosing to play him safely and target others.”

The coach revealed that Bumrah had entered the tournament with a minor niggle carried over from the World Cup, but stressed that the pacer has since regained rhythm and pace . “His speeds have improved, and he is feeling comfortable. Sometimes, you need a bit of luck he has beaten the bat several times without reward,” he noted.

Despite backing his spearhead, Jayawardene admitted that MI’s bowling unit has lacked penetration across phases, particularly in the Power Play, allowing opponents to dictate terms early. The team’s inability to strike upfront has reduced Bumrah’s impact , as batters adopt a risk-averse approach against him.

The pressure on the side has intensified with their slide down the points table, while criticism has also extended to leadership, with skipper Hardik Pandya facing questions over the team’s performances. Jayawardene, however, rejected the idea of individual blame . “It’s not just on Hardik it’s on all of us. We need to find ways to improve collectively,” he said.

There was some positive news on the injury front, with Rohit Sharma resuming light training. The team management is taking a cautious approach, opting not to rush his return in the early stages of the tournament.

Jayawardene also pointed to missed opportunities in the match, including a strong start powered by Quinton de Kock’s century, which failed to translate into a match-winning total due to a slowdown in the final overs. Early lapses with the ball, including an expensive opening over from Deepak Chahar, further compounded MI’s troubles.

With online criticism growing louder and results not going their way, Mumbai Indians find themselves at a critical juncture. While the team management remains confident that Bumrah’s fortunes will turn, the larger challenge lies in addressing collective inefficiencies , improving execution , regaining confidence , building momentum , and delivering consistent results to revive their campaign.