Bumrah will bounce back to greater heights, says Pollard as MI struggles continue
Synopsis
Kieron Pollard's spirited defence of Jasprit Bumrah signals that Mumbai Indians aren't panicking — yet. With just two wins from eight matches and the five-time champions in freefall, Pollard's message is clear: experienced players will carry the load, but the team's inconsistency across departments, not individual form, is the real problem.
Key Takeaways
Jasprit Bumrah has taken just two wickets in eight matches in IPL 2026 , despite maintaining the best economy rate among Mumbai Indians bowlers.
Mumbai Indians suffered a six-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad despite posting 243 runs .
Kieron Pollard defended Bumrah , citing the unique pressures cricketers face under constant public scrutiny.
MI currently has just two wins from eight matches , placing them in the lower half of the IPL 2026 table.
Pollard acknowledged collective inconsistency across departments as the root cause of the franchise's struggles.
Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard on 30 April defended pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah against mounting criticism, backing the Indian pacer to return to form despite a subdued run in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season. The remarks followed a heavy six-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where even MI's total of 243 proved insufficient.
Bumrah's underwhelming season so far
Bumrah has taken just two wickets in eight matches this season, a stark contrast to his usual standards as one of the franchise's most relied-upon bowlers. However, he continues to maintain the best economy rate among MI bowlers, suggesting his control remains intact despite the lean wicket tally.
Pollard's defence and broader message
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pollard highlighted the unique pressures faced by cricketers under constant public scrutiny. "We are unfortunate to always be in the public eye. When we do bad, it's always being highlighted. But when normal people have jobs and they send the wrong email, they have the opportunity to edit the words. We don't have that opportunity," Pollard said. He added that Bumrah, based on his track record and character, would inevitably bounce back. "We are all, again, going to be singing 'Bumrah, Bumrah', not only for Mumbai Indians, but for India. So, again, let's cut him a little slack," he stated.
MI's inconsistency across the board
Pollard also reflected candidly on Mumbai's broader campaign struggles. With just two wins from eight matches, the five-time champions currently occupy the lower half of the table. The batting coach acknowledged that inconsistency across departments — not Bumrah alone — has been the root cause. "It has not been as consistent as we would have hoped and the results are showing. Collectively, I think we have not been good enough," Pollard admitted.
Still fighting, not defeated
Pollard maintained a defiant tone regarding the tournament outlook. While accepting that MI has been on the losing side more often than not so far, he stressed that the team has not accepted defeat. "Two teams play. You win some, you lose some. We have not accepted defeat in this tournament because we are not out of it. We are still looking to go back and see what we can do to see how far we can get," he said. The franchise will lean on experienced players like Bumrah to lead the turnaround in the coming matches.
Point of View
While well-intentioned, masks a deeper structural problem at Mumbai Indians. Two wickets in eight matches from your premium pacer is not a form blip — it's a red flag. The real issue, as Pollard himself hinted, is that inconsistency has infected the entire franchise: batting has been fragile, bowling support has been absent, and leadership decisions have been reactive rather than proactive. Bumrah will likely recover — he always does — but by then, MI's tournament might already be over.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jasprit Bumrah underperforming in IPL 2026?
Bumrah has taken just two wickets in eight matches this season, a significant drop from his usual standards. However, he continues to maintain the best economy rate among Mumbai Indians bowlers, suggesting his control remains intact. The exact reasons for the wicket-taking drought have not been publicly detailed.
What did Kieron Pollard say about Bumrah's form?
Pollard defended Bumrah, stating that cricketers face unique pressures under constant public scrutiny and that the pacer would bounce back to greater heights. He urged critics to show patience, saying 'Let's cut him a little slack' and predicted Bumrah would return to form for both Mumbai Indians and India.
How is Mumbai Indians performing in IPL 2026?
Mumbai Indians currently has two wins from eight matches and sits in the lower half of the IPL 2026 table. Pollard acknowledged that inconsistency across departments — batting, bowling, and fielding — has been the root cause of their struggles this season.
Will Mumbai Indians make the playoffs?
Pollard maintained that the team has not accepted defeat and believes they can still make a tournament run. However, with only two wins from eight matches, they are facing an uphill battle and will need a significant turnaround in the remaining matches.
