Is Jasprit Bumrah the Best Find for the Indian Team from the IPL?

For the Indian Cricket Team, generations have witnessed legendary batters dominate world cricket. From Sunil Gavaskar’s calm elegance to Sachin Tendulkar’s god-like consistency and now Virat Kohli’s unmatched passion and skill, Indian cricket has always been batters’ paradise. Fans have worshipped them and celebrated their centuries like festivals. But as time passed, the game that has always been considered batter-friendly started seeing a shift in admiration. Slowly, fans began noticing and valuing the contributions of bowlers, those who silently turn the game around in a matter of deliveries. And one of the biggest reasons for this change is none other than Jasprit Bumrah.

With his unique bowling style, short run-up, and deadly accuracy, Jasprit Bumrah has become the face of India’s pace attack. On May 6, 2025, when Mumbai Indians played Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2025, Bumrah showed yet again why he is rated among the very best. Gujarat Titans looked well on course for a win. The platform had been laid, the required rate was in control, and skipper Shubman Gill was batting solidly. But then came rain. As the drizzle turned heavier, everyone watching knew, that if the game resumed, it would be Bumrah’s spell that could make or break it for Mumbai Indians.

And once play resumed, Bumrah did not disappoint. He came in with Gujarat needing 49 runs off 36 balls with seven wickets in hand. It looked like GT had the upper hand, but Bumrah’s magic changed everything. In the 15th over, he dismissed the set batter and captain Shubman Gill for 43. Bumrah bowled a sharp back-of-a-length delivery that nipped in and crashed into the off stump after clipping the pad. It was a moment that completely turned the momentum. Gill’s wicket not only dented GT’s chase but also lifted MI’s morale massively.

He wasn’t done yet as in his final over, the 17th of the innings, Bumrah came back and struck again. This time, it was M Shahrukh Khan who paid the price for trying to go big. Bumrah bowled a smart delivery that angled in and hit the back leg before deflecting onto the stumps. It was a classic Bumrah dismissal, smart, composed, and perfectly executed under pressure. Even in the remaining balls of his spell, Bumrah kept things tight. He conceded just 7 runs in his final over and finished with incredible figures of 4 overs, 19 runs, and 2 wickets.

But more than the numbers, it was the timing of his breakthroughs that mattered the most. At a stage where Gujarat needed less than 10 runs per over, his control and clever variations slowed the game down and added pressure on GT’s middle and lower order. Jasprit Bumrah’s spell was a reminder that even in a format dominated by batters, bowlers can still win you games. His performance not only revived Mumbai Indians’ hopes in that match but also told why he remains one of the best death bowlers in world cricket today.

How Has Jasprit Bumrah Evolved Over the Years?

What can be termed as the Greatest Find ever of the IPL, Jasprit Bumrah has grown into one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the world through this tournament. Starting his journey in the 2013 season with just 2 matches, Bumrah picked up 3 wickets and gave everyone a glimpse of his raw pace and accuracy. He continued to improve with every season, and by 2016, he became a regular member of the Mumbai Indians lineup.

In the 2016 season, Bumrah bowled 312 balls, conceded 406 runs, and took 15 wickets with an average of 27.06. His best bowling figure that year was 3 for 13, and he maintained an economy rate of 7.80. From there, he only got better. In 2017, he picked up 20 wickets in 16 matches with a strike rate of 17.80. That was the year he truly began gaining recognition for bowling in crunch situations.

In 2018 and 2019, Bumrah’s performances remained consistent. He picked up 17 wickets in 2018 and 19 in 2019 with economy rates of 6.88 and 6.63 respectively. His best in 2018 was 3 for 15 and 3 for 20 in 2019. In 2020, Bumrah hit peak form as he bagged 27 wickets in 15 matches at an astonishing average of 14.96. His economy rate was 6.73 and his strike rate dropped to 13.33. His best figures that year were 4 for 14, showing just how impactful he was in helping MI lift another title.

The following seasons also saw him making regular match-winning contributions. In 2021, he took 21 wickets in 14 games. His average was 19.52 and his strike rate was just 15.71. Then in 2022, he picked up 15 wickets, with his best performance being 5 for 10 – his first five-wicket haul in IPL history. Even in 2024 and 2025, Bumrah has remained the backbone of Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack. In 2024, he claimed 20 wickets in 13 games at an average of 16.80 and an economy rate of just 6.48. He followed that up with another superb run in 2025 where he took 13 wickets in 8 games at a brilliant average of 16.46 and economy of 6.69.

Overall, Jasprit Bumrah has played 141 IPL matches so far, bowled 3245 balls, and conceded 3928 runs. He has picked up 178 wickets with an impressive average of 22.07. His overall economy rate stands at 7.26, and his strike rate is 18.23. He has taken three 4-wicket hauls and two 5-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 5 for 10. From being a young pacer with an unorthodox action to becoming Mumbai Indians’ go-to bowler and one of India’s best ever, his stats and numbers speak volumes of his contribution.