Whether you are a Mumbai Indians fan or not, a common observation among all, perhaps even those who have played with the side before and are now perhaps in the IPL commentary box or on a YouTube channel - stands out. And perhaps it is no longer a secret as well to simply state the big fact that is out there. And perhaps it’s that the team has seen far better days in the past. After sustaining their fourth loss of the season - already- the once powerful and still strongly built Mumbai Indians side find themselves at staring almost at the bottom of the IPL charts (where is stands at the moment). They are a position better than KKR, at best. The wins haven’t been coming and the side continue to be thrashed. And something’s certainly not right. 

What’s gone wrong?

A big reason, one suspects, in the way the Mumbai Indians are performing is the way Jasprit Bumrah is enduring the current season with little going his way. Or, rather nothing going his way. Once, a prime example of how to bowl- and still is a world class bowler who commands regard from one and all- Jasprit Bumrah was the breaker of the best batting backs and would lead the way for his MI team courtesy his wicket tally. Alas, this time around it is that very wicket tally that seems to have gone absolutely bereft of any wickets, whatsoever and seems as though, it needs urgent attention. So why is one even pointing that out? What’s the concern exactly like?   

Five games, 0 wickets

Fact be told, it’s not that the tall pacer isn’t trying. He is. But it’s been 5 games and 114 deliveries, to be precise that Jasprit Bumrah has failed to pick up a single wicket in any of the Indian Premier Leauge games whatsoever. Last evening served another concerning example. It’s one thing to not take a wicket and to emerge absolutely bereft of any wickets. But then, it’s something else altogether when you get hit for one run too many and when you simply fail to dominate the opposition. How often have we seen Bumrah concede over 10 an over, which was the game in the contest v Punjab Kings at the Wankhede on April 16! 

Something’s not quite right!

Has the big old baffling mystery on how efficiently play Jasprit Bumrah been sorted or solved, once and for all. 

Are the batters no longer scared of his imposing talent and that wily old action?

One doesn’t quite know

But truth certainly is that if Bumrah continues to go wicketless and also leak runs- last evening it didn’t eek any bit challenging for Prabhsimran and Shreyas to tank the bowling great- then Mumbai Indians are in big trouble. 

After being 0/35 against KKR, Jasprit Bumrah would emerge with figures of none for 21 v Delhi Capitals, which would be followed by none for 32 v Rajasthan and then 0 for 35 v RCB. 

Sadly for him

In the most recent clash for his Mumbai Indians, in which it appeared that his team landed their heads in front of the ruthless blades of Iyer and Prabhsimran, Bumrah went for the most runs he’s conceded this IPL - none for 41. 

A thinking clever bowler with too many variations up his sleeve, the lasting query that is primed to concern the Mumbai Indians fans is whether Bumrah is still very much a threat or as seen; just trifled by the perpetuating challenge to perform to his level best - as he as so many seasons- game after game in the IPL. Is the pressure getting to him or he simply having a lull? One sadly can’t say much besides pointing to the areas that need addressing!