Former India batter Robin Uthappa made a sharp observation about Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling after India’s defeat in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Uthappa said Bumrah loses his rhythm when he tries too hard to take wickets.

Bumrah struggled with the new ball and went wicketless in the powerplay. He finally struck twice in his last over, but the wickets came too late to change India’s fate. India, after getting bowled out for 125, needed early breakthroughs to stay alive in the match.

Australia’s Aggressive Start

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head put India’s bowlers under pressure from the start. The duo shared a quick 51-run stand before Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Head. However, Australia continued their aggressive play and comfortably chased the 126-run target in just 13.2 overs.

Uthappa Says India Lost Discipline Early

Speaking on Star Sports, Uthappa said India’s bowlers lost focus early and tried too hard for wickets instead of sticking to their plans.

“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. I felt we were probably trying too hard to pick up wickets. So we got a little wayward,” Uthappa said.

Chakaravarthy stood out with two wickets, while Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav also took one each. But by the time they found their rhythm, Australia had already taken control of the game.

“Australia Took Full Advantage of Bumrah’s Waywardness”

Uthappa further explained Bumrah’s rare off day, noting a pattern in his bowling. He said the pacer’s eagerness to grab wickets often makes him lose discipline, giving opponents room to attack.

“I have observed that whenever Bumrah gets desperate to pick up wickets, he becomes slightly wayward, and when he is disciplined and hits a good line and length, he mostly picks up wickets. Australia took full advantage of that waywardness at the start, the way we started with the ball in the second innings,” Uthappa added.

Uthappa’s remarks highlighted how Bumrah’s mindset affects his performance and how early discipline could have changed India’s fate at the MCG. Despite flashes of brilliance later, India’s lack of control early in the innings cost them the game.