Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have struggled for form in the ongoing IPL 2026, and not long ago they starred in India’s title winning campaign in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup.
Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri during commentary on the host broadcast channel said India’s star bowlers are showing signs of mental fatigue post the T20 World Cup.
Bumrah has struggled this IPL season, picking up just three wickets in 10 matches for Mumbai Indians at an average of 109.67. Arshdeep too has had a mixed campaign so far, taking 12 wickets in 11 matches, including figures of 1 for 43 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.
“Just seeing the way the season has panned out, and seeing some of the established bowlers who’ve played a lot of cricket through the season, played for India, played World Cups, all this stuff… showing signs of mental fatigue,” Shastri shared his views during commentary.
Bumrah was one of India’s biggest stars during their T20 World Cup-winning campaign in 2024. He picked up 15 wickets in the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament.
He also played a key role in the final against New Zealand, taking four wickets and winning the Player of the Match award. Arshdeep, meanwhile, finished as the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup with 17 wickets.
Arshdeep continued his good form in this year’s T20 World Cup as well, taking nine wickets during India’s title-winning run.
Shastri said the fast bowlers may simply need some time to recover and regain rhythm.
“Now, you must remember these guys are human. And it does take its toll. It’s not that they can, on a day off, go to a petrol station, fill some gas and get into the groove again the next day. It doesn’t happen that way. Human beings need time to recover. But it’s a hard grind. Then again, it’s a professional sport,” added Shastri.
During Mumbai Indians’ last match against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, Bumrah went wicketless and conceded 45 runs. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said he is “trying too many extra things”.
“Bumrah is giving his best, but he seems to be trying too many extra things. He took a wicket after the strategic timeout, but it was a no-ball. Then he bowled a few more no-balls. He is creating wicket-taking chances, but luck is not on his side. His pace has also dropped. His go-to slower ball length has become fuller. The line that used to target the stumps is now drifting to leg stump,” Gavaskar had said on air.
