Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has disclosed that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was carrying a niggle from the T20 World Cup into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, which significantly impacted his performance. Bumrah managed only four wickets in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians, a major factor behind the franchise's disappointing campaign that saw them win just four games and get eliminated early.
Niggle and Recovery Challenges
Speaking on the eve of MI's final league match against Rajasthan Royals, Jayawardene explained that Bumrah did not get adequate recovery time after the T20 World Cup, which India won. The pacer had played through a slight injury during the global tournament, and the lack of rest affected his rhythm in the IPL.
"Coming back from the World Cup, he had a slight niggle which he played with through the World Cup, so we gave him adequate rest to come back," Jayawardene told reporters. He added that Bumrah's pace dropped in the first four to five games as part of a gradual build-up to overcome the niggle, but he has since returned to his usual speed.
Impact on Performance
Bumrah's reduced pace and execution were evident early in the season. Jayawardene noted that opposition teams played cautiously against him, avoiding risks because MI's other bowlers failed to create sufficient pressure. "The teams have not taken too much risk against him in certain situations. They've played him out because we haven't been able to create pressure around him," he said.
The coach emphasized that workload management was a key focus. "We used him in different ways this season so that it gives him a bit more freedom. But he understands that; he comes back and smiles and says, 'coach, it didn't work, let's try something different,'" Jayawardene added.
Bumrah's T20 World Cup Heroics
Before the IPL, Bumrah was a standout performer in the T20 World Cup, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in eight matches, including a match-winning 4/15 in the final against New Zealand. He also featured in four T20Is against New Zealand prior to the World Cup.
No Long-Term Concerns
Despite his struggles, Jayawardene expressed confidence in Bumrah's recovery. "I wouldn't worry about Booms; he is in good spirit and will come back strong. The last few games, he was top notch, bowling at 140 kmph and nailing yorkers," he said. The coach also revealed that Bumrah worked on his no-ball issues during breaks, attributing them to the niggle affecting his run-up.
Jayawardene concluded that Bumrah's work ethic remains exemplary, and the team has learned from the experience. "We tried, but it didn't work. We just need to move on from that," he stated.
