1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth advised the out-of-form Jasprit Bumrah to take a page from Jofra Archer’s book when it comes to bowling with the new ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
The England seamer is among the leading wicket-takers in IPL 2026, having bagged 14 scalps from nine matches at an average of 8.27. He has been sensational inside the power play and also has three wickets with the first balls of his spells this season.
When it comes to Bumrah, the talismanic seamer is going through a rare lean patch. He has only taken two wickets in eight matches at an average of 132. In Wednesday’s clash between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Bumrah conceded 54 runs in his four overs and went wicketless.
Srikkanth opined that Bumrah bowled too many slower deliveries with the new ball instead of bowling at full tilt like Archer.
“Even Bumrah bowled too many slower ones. You have the new ball with you and two left-handers in front of you. Try to nick them off. Bumrah bowling so many slower deliveries with the new ball is of no use. See what Archer is trying to do in the last few matches. He’s bowling at full throttle and nicking batters off caught behind and at slips. That’s what Bumrah should try to do,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“Bumrah is not getting that zip at all. Not one delivery looked threatening. Maybe he is tired, so I am not blaming him. But he is clearly not at his best. He is trying hard but looking very ordinary,” he added.
Mumbai Indians posted a mammoth total in the first innings, scoring 243/5 in 20 overs on the back of Ryan Rickelton’s scintillating 123* off 55 balls. However, half-centuries from Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen and some ordinary bowling from the home side helped the Orange Army chase the target in 18.4 overs with six wickets to spare.
