Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav recently expressed his views on Mumbai Indians’ struggle in IPL 2026. The five-time champion is currently placed ninth in the points table after winning only 2 out of 7 matches.
Yadav, who has not played for India since 2023 and was unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, said that over-dependence on Jasprit Bumrah was hurting MI. Yadav also discussed how expectations might be weakening India’s star.
Trusting one bowler is not the right way – Umesh Yadav on Jasprit Bumrah
Speaking to RevSportz, Yadav said that it is unfair to expect that even the best bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah will be able to win matches on their own.
“Relying on any one bowler is never the right approach in cricket – it is a team game. Matches are not won or lost because of one player alone; Success generally depends on the combined performance of at least 3-4 players,” Yadav said.
He said, “In the case of Jasprit Bumrah, it is often expected that he will do everything. But opposition teams plan carefully – if they play him like any other bowler and avoid giving away wickets, his impact may be diminished. Even the best bowlers make off deliveries; it is unrealistic to expect perfection every time.”
It is not just about bowling – Umesh Yadav
Yadav talked about Mumbai Indians’ inconsistency this season. He said the struggle was present on both the balls. Ultimately, he said, inconsistency is hurting the team.
Yadav said, “If wickets are not taken in the powerplay or pressure is not built in the death overs, it impacts the entire result. If we look at Mumbai Indians, it is not just about bowling. The team is going through constant changes and has not been able to find a stable combination. While there are concerns in the bowling unit, the batting has also been inconsistent.”
He said that Mumbai Indians are finding it difficult to win matches due to lack of support for any batsman who has really performed well. He further added, “If one batsman performs, the others often fail to support, making it difficult to chase a big target like 200 runs.”
No single player can win a match alone – Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav said that Mumbai Indians need to recognize that cricket is a team sport and should stop relying on one or two players.
“Mumbai Indians is a successful franchise with five titles, largely built on strong batting performances. So it is important to understand that both batting and bowling need to click together. After all, cricket is a collective effort – no single player, even one as skilled as Jasprit Bumrah, can win matches alone,” he concluded.
Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2026
Yadav’s comments come in the backdrop of Jasprit Bumrah’s poor form in the tournament. Bumrah did not get a single wicket in the first five matches of this season.
Bumrah has been relatively economical compared to other bowlers, but has taken just 2 wickets in 7 matches. The lack of wickets has put pressure on MI’s other bowlers and none of them have been able to deal with it. Mumbai Indians will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next match on April 29 in Mumbai.
Also read: Riyan Parag’s demotion planned at Rajasthan Royals amid IPL 2026
