Bumrah's Rare Off Day Costs India in Tight T20 Clash

In a candid assessment, former India batter Robin Uthappa has analyzed Jasprit Bumrah's rare off day in the second T20I against Australia at the MCG on November 2, 2025. Uthappa suggests that the pacer tends to lose his rhythm when he tries too hard to take wickets.

Speaking on Star Sports after India's 4-wicket loss, Uthappa explained that the team's eagerness to force breakthroughs backfired early in the innings. "When we were bowling after scoring 125, the start was very important. If we had picked up two or three wickets in the first three or four overs, the game could have been closer because we have quality spinners in the middle overs," he said. "I felt we were probably trying too hard to pick up wickets. So we got a little wayward."

Defending a modest total of 125, India needed early strikes from Bumrah, but the Australian openers, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, counterattacked brilliantly. Their 51-run opening stand set the tone for a dominant chase that was completed in just 13.2 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy emerged as India's best bowler on the night, dismissing Head and adding another scalp.

Uthappa singled out Bumrah's performance for closer analysis, pointing to a recurring tendency. "I have observed that whenever Bumrah gets desperate to pick up wickets, he becomes slightly wayward. When he is disciplined and hits a good line and length, he mostly picks up wickets," he explained. "Australia took full advantage of that waywardness at the start."