Why Jasprit Bumrah is not playing today’s match against RR in IPL 2026?

Rian Mehta · 24/05/2026 · 2 min read

Why Jasprit Bumrah is not playing today’s match against RR in IPL 2026?

Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) playing XI for their last game of the ongoing IPL 2026 season against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday (May 23) at Wankhede Stadium. This left fans worried, as Jasprit Bumrah has had a terrible season because of a niggle.

However, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya cleared everything at the toss and confirmed that Bumrah has been rested for this IPL 2026 match, and they brought Deepak Chahar into the playing XI.

The Decision to Rest Bumrah

The decision has been taken by the MI team management, keeping in mind how Bumrah has been dealing with fitness and workload issues this season, where he could not manage even 5 wickets.

Hardik Pandya said at the toss as quoted by Cricbuzz: “We will bowl first. It looks like a good track, and it tends to get better in the evening. It’s a very special day, overall; the Reliance Foundation has helped and impacted 29 lakh people.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this. Every year we come here, we know this specific game will have the loudest and best atmosphere. We just want to play good cricket for the kids and make sure they leave with some great memories. The pitch looks hard, and it should get better once the sun goes down. It’s been a tough season for us, but we want to finish on a high. Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) is resting and Deepak Chahar is in.”

READ: MS Dhoni and CSK Parting Ways: The Truth Behind the IPL 2026 Fallout

More to follow..

Rian Mehta

Rian Mehta is a senior cricket correspondent for The Hindu, known for blending granular technical analysis with an engaging narrative style. A graduate of Christ University, Bengaluru, he first made his mark covering age‑group and university cricket before stepping up to the IPL and international beat. Rian specialises in breaking down batting techniques—from orthodox cover drives to audacious switch‑hits—and is widely respected for his eye for emerging talent in India’s domestic circuit. His work often incorporates advanced statistics, making complex data accessible to the everyday fan. A recipient of the RedInk Award and a regular voice on The Hindu’s cricket podcast, Rian has reported from multiple IPL seasons and bilateral series. He remains deeply invested in telling the stories of young cricketers making their way through the ranks of Indian sport.