Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to…

A Historic Struggle for Mumbai Indians’ Premier Pacer

The IPL 2026 season has concluded on a highly unexpected note for one of the world’s premier fast bowlers. In a shocking turn of events, Jasprit Bumrah scripts unwanted record; becomes first bowler to register a bowling average of over 100 in a single edition of the tournament. Known for his lethal yorkers and unmatched consistency, the Mumbai Indians (MI) spearhead endured a remarkably dry spell that culminated in him sitting out the final league match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium.

Breaking Down the Numbers Behind the Unwanted Record

Bumrah’s statistical output during the IPL 2026 campaign paints a stark picture of his struggles on the pitch. Across the entire season, the 32-year-old managed to claim a mere four wickets. This represents his worst-ever performance in the tournament since the 2015 season, where he picked up just three wickets from four games. However, what truly sets this season apart in the history books is his bowling average.

The right-arm seamer recorded a bowling average of 102.5 this season. This is officially the worst bowling average recorded by any bowler in a single IPL season in the history of the league. Bumrah’s best outing of the year came against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad, where he registered figures of 1/15, which stood as his best performance in an otherwise challenging campaign.

How Bumrah’s Season Compares to IPL History

To put Bumrah’s average of 102.5 into perspective, one must look at the previous holders of this unwanted distinction. Prior to this season, the record for the worst bowling average in an IPL season belonged to former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who recorded an average of 95 during the 2014 season. Other prominent names on this list include:

• Pragyan Ojha (MI): Average of 95 during the 2014 season.
• Brett Lee (KKR): Average of 67 during the 2011 season.
• Harbhajan Singh (MI): Average in the early to mid-60s in past seasons.
• Krunal Pandya (MI): Average in the early to mid-60s in past seasons.

Interestingly, a majority of these anomalous seasons occurred while the players were representing Mumbai Indians, with Brett Lee being the sole exception during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Bumrah now tops this list, becoming the first bowler to cross the triple-figure mark in seasonal bowling average.

Ravichandran Ashwin Expresses Dismay Over MI’s Senior Core

The downfall of Mumbai Indians’ bowling unit did not escape the critical eye of veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed his deep dismay over the performances of MI’s senior core. The five-time champions finished a dismal IPL 2026 campaign in ninth place, securing only eight points from their 14 group-stage matches. They barely managed to avoid the wooden spoon, finishing ahead of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) solely due to a slightly better net run-rate.

Ashwin noted that the team’s structure felt highly unusual this year, pointing out that several key players were far from their best form. “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,” Ashwin remarked.

The Weight of an Unprecedented Milestone

Ashwin also specifically highlighted Bumrah’s unprecedented statistical low. Commenting on the paceman’s absence from the final match against Rajasthan Royals and his final season tally, Ashwin remarked, “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.”

This observation solidifies the historic nature of Bumrah’s struggle in 2026, marking a rare blemish on an otherwise illustrious career. Mumbai Indians will have to address these fundamental structural issues if they hope to bounce back and mount a serious challenge in the 2027 season.