'We're not concerned' - Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard on Jasprit Bumrah's wicketlessness

Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is experiencing a strange run of form as he is still searching for his first wicket three matches into the ongoing 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bumrah conceded 35 runs in the season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Wankhede at 8.75 runs per over, pulled things back in terms of economy rate (5.25) against Delhi Capitals (DC), but proved fairly expensive in terms of his standards against Rajasthan Royals (RR), leaking 32 in three overs at 10.66. 

However, Mumbai Indians' batting Kieron Pollard has launched a strong defence of the speedster and said that it was only a matter of time before he made his presence felt in the wickets column, and the management is least worried about it.

"When you look at T20 cricket now, the way that it's going, you can't really think much about wickets," Pollard said of Bumrah's wicket-taking form as reported by ESPNcricinfo. "If you watch even the game that is being played presently [Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad], the powerplay went for over 100 runs. So again, sometimes the best form of attack is also defence.

"And we're not looking too much into the wicketless nature of Jasprit Bumrah. He's a world-class bowler. He has done it time and time again for India and also for Mumbai Indians. And again, when the time comes to get wickets, he'll get wickets. If not, and he's economical, we'll accept that as well.

"It's fine. On our side, it's fine. We don't look at cricket as that. And I, as an individual, never look at cricket as that. Cricket is a team sport. So, for us, it's about coming together as one and trying to get the desired result at the end of the day because then I can look into all different things and create things that are not there. So, for us, he's fine, he's fit, he's firing. And for your sake, I hope he gets five wickets tomorrow. And the economy is about five as well (laughs)."

Notably, Trent Boult too is finding it hard to provide breakthroughs and has yet to pick up a pole this IPL season. The left-arm seamer has conceded 60 runs in two games at an alarming rate of 12 an over. Mumbai are slated to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their next game on Sunday at home.