Mumbai: Jasprit Bumrah endured a rare and difficult campaign in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, scripting an unwanted record by registering a bowling average exceeding 100 — the first such instance in T20 cricket history.
Widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in world cricket, Bumrah’s numbers this season stood in stark contrast to his reputation, highlighting an unusual statistical anomaly rather than a complete dip in skill.
A record no bowler wants
In cricket, a batting average of 100 is often seen as the pinnacle of excellence — most famously associated with Don Bradman. However, Bumrah’s feat has been described as an “inverse Bradman” — reaching the same benchmark, but in bowling average, which reflects runs conceded per wicket.
During IPL 2026, Bumrah played 13 matches for Mumbai Indians, conceding 294 runs while taking only four wickets. This resulted in a staggering bowling average of 102.50 and a strike rate of 73.50.
While his economy rate of 8.37 was not alarming in a season dominated by high-scoring matches, his inability to pick up wickets proved costly in statistical terms.
Understanding the numbers
A bowling average is calculated by dividing the total runs conceded by the number of wickets taken. In Bumrah’s case, the relatively modest run concession combined with an extremely low wicket tally caused the average to skyrocket.
Importantly, the record is based on a minimum qualification benchmark of 40 overs (240 balls) in a tournament — ensuring that only frontline bowlers are considered. Bumrah comfortably met this criterion, having bowled his full quota across matches.
This makes the record particularly significant, as it reflects sustained performance over a full season rather than a short, anomalous spell.
Why wickets dried up
Several factors contributed to Bumrah’s unusually low wicket count despite maintaining control over his bowling.
Batters played him cautiously
Opposition teams often adopted a defensive approach against Bumrah, widely acknowledged for his lethal yorkers and variations. Instead of attacking him, batters chose to rotate strike and avoid risks, limiting wicket-taking opportunities.
Support attack struggled
With other bowlers in the Mumbai Indians lineup conceding runs, batters could afford to play Bumrah conservatively and target others. This reduced pressure to take risks against him.
T20 dynamics at play
In modern T20 cricket, where scores frequently cross 200, bowlers often prioritise containment over aggression. Bumrah’s spells, typically conceding 25–30 runs without wickets, accumulated over the season and inflated his average.
Not a complete decline
Despite the numbers, Bumrah’s control and discipline remained evident. His economy rate suggests he was still effective in restricting scoring, even if wickets eluded him.
Cricket experts point out that such anomalies can occur in T20 formats, where small sample sizes and match situations can heavily skew statistics.
A rare statistical anomaly
It is extremely rare for a bowler of Bumrah’s calibre to go through an entire tournament without significant wicket returns. His record underlines how cricket statistics can sometimes present an incomplete picture without context.
Even the greatest players have endured lean phases, and Bumrah’s track record across formats indicates that this season is likely to be an outlier rather than a trend.
Conclusion
Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2026 campaign will be remembered for an unusual and unwanted record, but it does not diminish his standing as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.
If anything, the season highlights the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where performance cannot always be measured solely by numbers. For Bumrah, a strong comeback in future tournaments appears not just possible, but highly likely.