“He hasn’t been up to the mark… but he’s still been a number one bowler for Mumbai Indians and India over a period of time.” That was the honest yet supportive assessment from Kieron Pollard on Jasprit Bumrah’s underwhelming run in the Indian Premier League 2026.
Bumrah, widely regarded as the backbone of Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack, has endured a rare dip in form this season. With just two wickets in eight matches and an economy rate climbing to 8.80, the numbers reflect a struggle that MI have felt collectively.
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Pollard, however, was quick to remind critics of the bigger picture. “As a human being, he is entitled to make mistakes, not have a good day, or even a good season,” he said, backing the ace pacer despite the ongoing slump. The former MI all-rounder stressed that Bumrah’s legacy and consistency over the years cannot be overlooked because of a few tough outings.
The concern, though, goes beyond individual form. Mumbai Indians have lost six of their eight matches so far, exposing a lack of cohesion across departments. Pollard admitted the same, stating, “Collectively, we have not been good enough. We need to be better as a unit and execute better in different areas of the game.”
One recurring issue, according to him, has been the inability to deliver a “complete game.” In a format as demanding as T20, even minor lapses can prove costly — something MI have experienced repeatedly this season.
Despite the setbacks, Pollard made it clear that the dressing room has not lost belief. “We have lost games, but we have not accepted defeat,” he emphasised, carefully distinguishing between results and mindset. He also clarified that MI are still very much in contention mathematically and are focused on maximising their remaining opportunities.
With six matches left, Mumbai Indians can still reach 16 points if they manage a flawless run. While that remains a challenging task, a return to form for Bumrah could be the turning point they desperately need.
For now, the message from the camp is clear — trust the process, back the experienced core, and keep fighting.
