Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Khabr Bite
The Indian Premier League 2026 has witnessed an unexpected struggle for some of the most experienced bowlers in the tournament. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshal Patel, who are usually known for their wicket-taking abilities, have surprisingly gone wicketless so far. Also, despite their reputation and past performances, they have failed to deliver breakthroughs, which have impacted their teams as well. Fans and experts are now closely watching to see when these bowlers make their much-awaited comeback.
| Player | Matches | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 5 | 114 | 164 | 0 | 8.63 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | 3 | 54 | 105 | 0 | 11.67 |
| Harshal Patel | 3 | 56 | 96 | 0 | 12.26 |
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1. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is going through one of the toughest phases of his IPL career in 2026. He is known as one of the best T20I bowlers in the world. In IPL 2026, he has played 5 matches and has failed to pick up a single wicket. In five matches, he has bowled around 110+ balls and conceded 164 runs with an economy of 8.63. Despite not taking the wickets, Bumrah has not been completely ineffective.
In various matches, he has controlled the flow of runs, mainly in the powerplay and middle overs. However, his biggest strength is to take wickets at the crucial moments, which has been missing in this season. One of the main reasons that he is wicketless is the approach of batsmen against him. Instead of attacking him, players are playing him cautiously and attacking other bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Poor Performance Impact on Mumbai Indians’ Poor Start in IPL 2026
Due to his wicketless season, the Mumbai Indians are also struggling to find their momentum in the season. They have lost 4 matches. If Bumrah continues to perform like this, then it will be tough for Mumbai Indians to bounce back from here.
This is also his longest wicketless streak in IPL history. However, seeing his experience and skill, a strong comeback is expected and as he gets his first wicket, momentum can quickly shift in his favour.
2. Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy has also had a disappointing start to IPL 2026. He is known for his mystery spins and impact with the ball. In IPL 2026, till now, he has played 3 matches and bowled around 54 balls and conceded 105 runs with an economy of 11.67. This is quite unexpected for a bowler who is known for his mystery spins and ability to trouble even the best batsmen.
He is struggling after the Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. Also, in previous IPL seasons, he has built his reputation by deceiving batters with his diverse variations such as the Carrom ball, googlies and sharp turns. Talking about this season, batsmen are reading him very well and with more confidence.
Another main factor is that he has limited usage by the team. He has not been given long spells. Also, his left hand was injured during one of the matches of IPL 2026.
Kolkata Knight Riders Struggle Continues as Varun Chakravarthy Fails to Make Impact in IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders have struggled as a team and that has further impacted his rhythm and confidence. KKR have not won a single match in IPL 2026 till now. Varun is not the primary reason for their losses. The franchise is not performing overall as a team. However, the tournament is not over yet, KKR have the chance to bounce back as they have big names in their team.
Also, Varun can still bounce back strongly in the upcoming matches.
Also Read: IPL History’s Longest Winning Streaks: KKR Lead Elite List, RCB & CSK Shine
3. Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel is known for his variations and death over expertise. He has won the purple cap two times in the Indian Premier League. In 2026, he is struggling very much and hasn’t taken any wickets yet. In 3 matches, he has bowled 56 balls and conceded 96 runs with an economy of 12.26. This is unusual for a bowler who has previously been among the leading wicket takers in the IPL.
Harshal Patel’s strengths are slower balls, yorkers and clever variations, mainly in the death overs. However, in this season, all these variations have not been as effective. This season, batsmen are well prepared for his slower deliveries and are picking them early, which has reduced wicket-taking opportunities.
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Another issue has been his consistency in line and length. He has conceded runs at critical stages. Unlike other seasons, he played a crucial role in high-pressure situations, but he has struggled to make breakthroughs when needed. Despite this tough time, he remains a smart and experienced bowler. Also, once he gets his first wicket, his confidence is likely to be enhanced, and he can be a dangerous bowler again.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Under Pressure with Harshal Patel’s Struggles in Death Overs in IPL 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad have a mixed start to their IPL 2026 campaign. They have won 2 matches out of 5 so far. Their batting has shown glimpses of strength, but the bowling department, mainly in the death overs, is the real concern. The lack of impact from Harshal Patel has added pressure on the team, as they have struggled to control runs in critical moments. However, if SRH wants to stay in the playoff race, enhancing their bowling performance will be key in the upcoming matches.
Conclusion
Overall, the IPL season has turned out to be a rare and challenging phase for Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshal Patel. These players have a strong track record of showing their skills under pressure, but this season is looking very tough for them.
Once they break this wicketless streak, their confidence is likely to return, which can significantly impact their teams’ performances. Upcoming matches will be critical in defining their comeback and overall season trajectory.
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FAQs
1. Why is Jasprit Bumrah wicketless in IPL 2026?
Ans. Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2026 performance has been surprising as he remains wicketless. The main reason behind this Bumrah wicketless IPL 2026 phase is that batsmen are playing him cautiously instead of attacking, reducing his wicket-taking opportunities.
2. What went wrong for Varun Chakravarthy in IPL 2026?
Ans. Varun Chakravarthy’s IPL 2026 bowling performance has declined as batsmen are reading his mystery spin easily. Limited usage, injury concerns, and lack of rhythm have affected his impact in Varun Chakravarthy’s IPL 2026 matches.
3. Why is Harshal Patel ineffective this season?
Ans. Harshal Patel’s IPL 2026 performance has been poor as his slower balls and variations are not working. In Harshal Patel’s IPL 2026 form, batsmen are picking his deliveries early, reducing his effectiveness in death overs.
