Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said the Mumbai Indians’ bowling will revolve around gun-fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2026. Chopra said MI has the option of leaving out Trent Boult and playing South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch.
Meanwhile, Bumrah had scalped 18 wickets in 12 matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 6.67. Trent Boult, on the other hand, bagged 22 wickets in 16 innings at an economy rate of 8.96 and he was the team’s leading wicket-taker in the previous season.
“Bowling will be slightly more reliant on Bumrah now as well because Bumrah is Bumrah. There is no one like him in the entire world. So one over at the start, one over in the middle, and two overs at the death. Their bowling will revolve around him. Don’t bowl more than one over of Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay. Use him wisely,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“You can keep Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar at the top for swing bowling, although Trent Boult’s recent form is not good. His game has gone down a little. So that will be worth watching, because they will always have the option of leaving him out, as they can play Corbin Bosch. Corbin Bosch is a serious, serious player. I rate him very highly – bowling and batting,” he added.
Chopra said MI batters can keep hitting throughout the innings as they have depth in their batting.
“I feel everyone should hit with the bat. No one should stop. Why is there a need to stop when you have so much depth and might in batting? Quinton de Kock should start hitting with Rohit Sharma,” he said.
The renowned commentator urged MI batters to bat aggressively throughout the innings.
“If Suryakumar Yadav comes at No. 3, he should hit. Whether Tilak Varma or Hardik Pandya comes at No. 4, they should hit. If Tilak comes at No. 5, he should hit. After that, Will Jacks and Naman Dhir are there. They should also hit. That should be enough for you to bat deep into the innings,” Chopra observed.
Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on 29th March.
