'He's economical, we'll accept': Pollard backs Bumrah despite wicketless start
Mumbai Indians' Kieron Pollard defended Jasprit Bumrah's wicketless streak, emphasizing his economy and world-class ability. Pollard stated the team is not concerned, accepting economical spells as a valid contribution. He also provided an update on Will Jacks' imminent arrival and praised young Vaibhav Suryavanshi's talent while urging patience through inevitable failures.
MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians’ batting Kieron Pollard has made it clear that his team isn’t sweating over ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah being unable to take a wicket in three matches in IPL-2026 so far. Bumrah has conceded 0 for 88 in 11 overs, logging an economy rate of 8. 00.
Ahead of MI’s fourth match this season, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night, Pollard asserted that MI were happy with Bumrah being economical as well. "If you watch the game that is being played presently, the ball is going for over 100 knots (out of the ground). Sometimes, the best form of attack is also defence.
And we're not looking too much into the wicketless nature of Jasprit Bumrah. He's a world-class bowler. He has done it time and time again for India and also for the Mumbai Indians.
And again, when the time comes to get wickets, he'll get wickets. If not, and he's economical, we'll accept that as well," Pollard said at a press conference on Saturday. Reminded that Bumrah has failed to take a wicket in MI's last four matches so far, having conceded 0-40 in four overs in the second qualifier of IPL-2025 in the five-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad, Pollard replied by saying, "It's fine.