Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2025: Off colour or warming up for glory ahead?

Jasprit Bumrah has conceded 73 runs in 8 overs with just one wicket — is this a sign of injury concerns or simply the calm before the storm?

Jasprit Bumrah’s return to competitive cricket has been a mixed bag. In his first match for Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2025 after returning from injury, Bumrah conceded 29 runs—7.25 runs per over—for no wickets against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, he went for 11 runs per over against Delhi Capitals (DC), conceding 44 runs for 1 wicket. 

Over two games, Bumrah gave away 73 runs in 8 overs, conceding 9.12 runs per over for just 1 wicket. This was not the kind of performance expected from Bumrah, but considering his return from injury, it can be concluded that he was a tad rusty due to the lay-off—and will likely come into his own as he plays more matches.

Jasprit Bumrah’s performance post return
First, let’s take a look at Bumrah’s performance in the two matches. In the clash against RCB, Bumrah bowled tight lines and lengths and got his yorkers bang on. Although he didn’t pick up a wicket, he was economical—boasting the best economy rate (7.25) for a bowler in that match. Bumrah bowled one over in the powerplay, one in the middle, and two in the death. Virat Kohli cracked a huge six off him in the powerplay, but Bumrah ensured he remained economical, conceding just 15 runs in his first two overs. He then bowled two crucial overs at the death, conceding 14 runs and preventing RCB from going past 230.

However, Bumrah was taken to task in the clash against DC as he ran into a man who is in the form of his life. Karun Nair smacked three fours and two sixes off Bumrah’s first two overs, bowled in the powerplay. Bumrah was guilty of bowling low full tosses and missing his line and length a few times—mistakes that Nair capitalised on. One delivery drifting down leg was flicked for a six over square leg. It’s a rare sight—Bumrah hardly concedes sixes in any format of the game. That said, it wouldn’t be justified to say that he bowled poorly throughout his spell, as an in-form Nair didn’t spare any of the Mumbai bowlers.

The same pattern followed in the match as Bumrah got an over in the middle overs, where he dismissed Axar Patel. In his fourth over at the death, he conceded two fours as Ashutosh Sharma played innovative shots behind the wicket. However, Delhi imploded in the same over, with three run-outs sealing the game for Mumbai. Still, it was a forgettable outing for Bumrah.

Read More: Boom is back: Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback sparks hope for Mumbai Indians & Team India

So, is Bumrah just warming up for tougher battles ahead?
Any bowler would struggle after returning from injury. Mohammed Shami, who also returned to competitive cricket after an injury, struggled in the initial few matches before finding his groove. Shami, who took a fifer in the Champions Trophy, is yet to bowl at his best in IPL 2025 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Hence, it wouldn’t be fair to target Bumrah. Instead, more time should be given to the premier bowler to find his rhythm. In fact, it’s a credit to Bumrah’s quality that he returned with an economical spell in his first game post-injury. However, an in-form batter like Nair not only stole Bumrah’s thunder but spoiled the figures of other bowlers too.

According to Mumbai’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene, Bumrah is “in good nick.” “He wanted a win when he came back. But other than that, he looks fine. I think the pace was up, the execution was good,” Jayawardene added.

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Consistent Bumrah is coming off a good season
Comparing Bumrah’s recent form with his previous IPL seasons shows that he’s been consistent. It’s worth remembering that Bumrah had a successful 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 32 wickets before an injury saw him miss the final innings of the fifth Test. He was also named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024, having bagged 71 wickets in 13 Tests last year.

He’s also been consistent in the IPL. Here’s how Bumrah has fared in recent seasons:

Bumrah has been with Mumbai Indians since the 2013 IPL, but it was only from 2016 that he became the spearhead of the bowling attack, playing all league matches. Since then, he has taken 15 or more wickets in every season. In four seasons, he’s crossed the 20-wicket mark. He missed the 2023 IPL due to injury.

What’s the way forward?
Players like Bumrah raise their game when facing tougher opponents, quality batters, and challenging conditions. Bumrah thrives on matchups against top players like Kohli and KL Rahul. He also makes good use of ground shapes—especially smaller venues like Wankhede, where he relies on yorkers and full-pitch deliveries to deny batters the room to go big.

Mumbai need to provide Bumrah with more role clarity. He is currently being used one-change after Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar take the new ball. But Bumrah is a strike bowler with a knack for picking early wickets. It would be prudent to pair him with Boult for the new-ball attack, followed by Chahar. Mumbai could then reserve Bumrah’s last two overs for the death, where he can seize momentum with his pinpoint yorkers and full-length deliveries.

Therefore, Bumrah—who is coming off a three-month injury lay-off—just needs more challenges to get back to his best. The performance against Delhi or against Nair in particular, could be considered a one-off. His best is yet to be seen in IPL 2025.

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