New Delhi: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya said he isn’t the only captain who has used Jasprit Bumrah as a change-up bowler and asked him to bowl the death overs in IPL 2026.
In IPL 2026, Mumbai haven’t asked Bumrah to operate with the new ball, instead asked him to bowl in the middle and death overs.
The India pace spearhead went wicktless in the first five matches, his longest dry run in the tournament, but ended it with 1/15 in three overs against Gujarat Titans.
Mumbai beat GT by 99 runs to climb to the seventh spot in the standings with four points from seven games after which Pandya took a swipe at those who questioned how Bumrah was being utilised.
“It’s quite fascinating. I see a lot of people asking why Jassi isn’t bowled up front but he’s only bowled the first over 7 or 8 times in 140 odd games. So it’s not a Hardik Pandya problem, it’s an everybody problem because Bumrah is so special you want to use him later on,” Pandya said.
‘About time Tilak delivered’
It was Mumbai’s first win after four successive defeats, which was shaped by Tilak’s Verma‘s unbeaten 101 in 45 balls, including eight boundaries and seven sixes.
“The message I think, I realised that the kind of talent Tilak has, he really doesn’t have to worry. So my message to him was just watch the ball and hit the ball. Was about time he came out and delivered. It was much needed for Tilak, the group and Mumbai Indians,” Pandya said.
Mumbai’s first win in Ahmedabad ever could trigger start of a good period and Pandya said.
“It’s always challenging to go away and win but at the same time Ahmedabad has been a tough place for Mumbai Indians. We played some good cricket. Feels very special because it was much needed,” the all-rounder said.