The spotlight was firmly on Jasprit Bumrah after he conceded 54 runs in four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. But inside the Mumbai Indians camp, the conversation has taken a very different turn.
This is not being treated as a one player failure. It is being seen as a bigger team problem.
Mumbai Indians did almost everything right with the bat. Putting up 243 runs should have been more than enough in a T20 game. In most situations, that score guarantees a win. But what followed was a complete breakdown with the ball.
Sunrisers Hyderabad chased the total without looking under pressure. That is what has raised serious concerns within the MI setup.
After the match, captain Hardik Pandya made it clear that the team is not going to single out Bumrah. His message was simple. This was a collective failure, not an individual one.
That statement says a lot about where Mumbai Indians stand right now.
For years, Bumrah has been the bowler MI relied on in tough situations. Whether it was the powerplay or death overs, he was the one who delivered. But in IPL 2026, things have not gone the same way.
His recent performances show he is not at his usual level, but the bigger issue is that the team around him has not stepped up either.
The bowling unit has struggled to control runs at any stage of the innings. In the powerplay, there has been a lack of early breakthroughs. In the middle overs, the pressure has not been sustained. And in the death overs, execution has been inconsistent.
When all three phases go wrong, even a strong total becomes difficult to defend.
What makes this defeat more concerning is the nature of it. Conceding 243 is not just about one expensive spell. It reflects a lack of planning and adaptability. The bowlers did not seem to adjust to conditions or change their approach when the momentum shifted.
There are also questions around tactics. Field placements, bowling changes, and match awareness all come into focus when a game slips away like this.
Still, the team’s decision to back Bumrah publicly is important. It shows they understand the situation is bigger than one performance. In a long tournament like the Indian Premier League, maintaining trust within the squad is crucial.
For Mumbai Indians, the challenge now is not just about improving results. It is about fixing the basics. They need better coordination as a bowling unit, clearer plans under pressure, and stronger execution in key moments.
As for Bumrah, this phase may just be a temporary dip. Players of his quality usually find a way back. But for that to happen, the team needs to support him with better performances overall.
