Since the Ashes 2017-18, cricket fans on X (formerly Twitter) have lovingly nicknamed him Josh Hazlegod, but if you really want to feel a near-religious cricketing experience, just watch the Mumbai Indians (MI) with Jasprit Bumrah on the field. It’s almost poetic how you can slice any MI match, campaign, or even their entire IPL journey into two distinct eras: Before Bumrah (BB) and Anno Domini (AD) — yes, the Bumrah era is that monumental.
The Bumrah Effect — A Game Changer for MI
Remember the Eliminator match last season against Gujarat Titans (GT)? Mumbai Indians arguably lost the toss, had to battle heavy dew, and were being thrashed all over the park. By the 14th over, Gujarat’s run rate was higher than the asking rate, with eight wickets still intact. On paper, MI’s fate looked sealed. But then, like a superhero stepping into the arena, Bumrah came to the rescue.
That moment is etched in IPL folklore: Washington Sundar trying to defend a Bumrah yorker, failing miserably, his stumps flying everywhere. Bumrah’s magic turned the entire game on its head, and many fans believe that snapshot will forever define the IPL itself. This is not just cricket; it’s a Bumrah phenomenon.
Before Bumrah — The Struggle Years for Mumbai Indians
Let’s be honest. For five years before Bumrah’s arrival, MI had zero IPL titles. They were competitive but lacked the finishing punch. Fast bowlers in T20 cricket often don’t get much credit because the format heavily favors batsmen. But then Bumrah came in and changed everything. His stats show a staggering difference. Across all T20s he’s played:
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Average economy rate: 8.12
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Average bowling average: 27.7
But Bumrah’s personal stats are phenomenal:
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Economy rate: 6.86
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Bowling average: 20.09
The numbers don’t lie. When your figures are that far ahead of the norm, your impact is undeniable. MI teams have rarely been average, and Bumrah’s influence is a huge reason.
The 2025 IPL — Bumrah’s Best Ever?
2025 has been a batsman’s paradise—tons of 200+ scores, sky-high economy rates, and a record number of sixes. Yet, amid all this carnage, Bumrah has been a beacon of control. Here’s the kicker: among bowlers with at least 25 balls bowled, Bumrah has the best economy rate of 6.36, compared to the tournament’s overall 9.61. To put that in perspective, keeping such an economy in the biggest six-hitting IPL ever is almost supernatural.
Only three bowlers with as many or more wickets than Bumrah remain in the tournament. That’s some elite company, but none have matched his consistency and control.
What Makes Bumrah So Special?
T20 is a format where batters are expected to hit big and often. Defining a “good ball” can be tricky because runs flow so freely. But with Bumrah, it’s clear from just one glance at his pitch map:
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43.41% of his deliveries are either full tosses, yorkers, or in the 2-4 meter zone — these are essentially his attempted yorkers.
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His unique bowling action creates lift rather than dip, making it difficult for batsmen to anticipate and connect properly.
This physical quirk gives Bumrah a higher margin for error with yorkers, which he exploits perfectly. His numbers tell a compelling story:
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Full tosses concede just 7.42 runs per over (others at 11.58)
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Yorkers give away 5.49 runs per over (others 6.66)
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The 2-4m zone balls go for only 5 runs per over (others 8.2)
Most other bowlers avoid these zones because missing a yorker means getting hammered. Bumrah, however, bowls these lengths nearly half the time, showing unmatched confidence and control.
Bowling Lengths and Economy — Bumrah’s Mastery
The worst length to bowl in this IPL has been the 4-6 meter zone — essentially an aggressive good length on seaming tracks but a juicy target on flat T20 pitches. Other fast bowlers have bowled 13.83% of their deliveries in this zone, conceding an average of 11.82 runs per over.
Bumrah has steered clear of this risky zone, bowling here just 7.75% of the time for an economy of 8.1. This smart selection of length highlights his discipline and awareness — vital in a format where every ball counts.
To put it simply, Bumrah bowls defensive good lengths, hard lengths, and yorkers over 36% of the time. That’s crazy precision and an exceptional understanding of the game situation.
The Slower Ball Wizardry
Apart from his lethal yorkers and consistent lengths, Bumrah’s slower deliveries are something else altogether. He creates sharp dip and cut on slower balls, putting batsmen under serious pressure. Compared to others:
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Only yorker slower balls from other bowlers go for under a run a ball.
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Bumrah’s slower balls from 0-8m and 10-12m zones maintain a batting strike rate of just 50 — that’s some tight bowling in a T20 where batsmen normally dominate.
The Road to the Final — Key Performances
Against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Bumrah bowled 4 overs for just 23 runs earlier this IPL, even as PBKS chased a solid 185. Against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who MI face in the final, Bumrah again bowled economically, conceding only 29 runs in his four overs while RCB scored a massive 221.
So, if MI are to clinch the title this year, beating these two rare sides that have managed to score heavily against Bumrah will be key. Interestingly, in those games, MI’s other bowlers like Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner leaked runs at over 10 per over, showing how crucial Bumrah’s tight spells are to the team’s success.
Why Bumrah is the IPL’s Greatest Bowler?
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Impact Player: MI’s win-loss record before and after Bumrah’s presence shows the stark contrast. They struggled initially but are now chasing their sixth IPL trophy in 13 seasons with him.
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Control in Chaos: In a batsman’s IPL, he’s the rare bowler who controls the chaos, forces errors, and consistently delivers under pressure.
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Physical Advantage: His unusual bowling action, the lift on his yorkers, and his mastery over slower balls make him almost unplayable.
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Mental Strength: Bowling in pressure games like Eliminators and finals, he rarely crumbles. Even if everything else goes wrong, Bumrah keeps his nerve.
The Only Things That Can Trip Bumrah
Of course, cricket isn’t just about one player. Bumrah’s brilliance can sometimes be neutralized by factors like:
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Toss going against MI, forcing them to field in tough dew conditions
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Other bowlers having an off day
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Batting collapses putting too much pressure on the bowlers
But with Bumrah, the team always has a pillar of strength. And as long as he’s in the side, MI fans can dream big.
To sum it up:
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Bumrah is more than just a fast bowler for Mumbai Indians — he’s their spiritual leader on the field.
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His arrival marked a turning point, turning MI into IPL giants.
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His stats are jaw-dropping in the toughest IPL conditions ever.
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His skills with yorkers, slower balls, and length control make him nearly untouchable.
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The upcoming matches against PBKS and RCB will be the true test of whether MI can lift their sixth IPL trophy.
In a year dominated by aggressive batting, Bumrah has silently but surely stamped his authority as perhaps the greatest bowler the IPL has ever seen. And the story is far from over.
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