After the first 29 matches of the Indian Premier League 2026, the performance of fast bowlers across all 10 teams has revealed some surprising trends. The biggest shock has been the underperformance of Mumbai Indians, a side known for its strong bowling lineup.

Despite featuring star pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar, Mumbai Indians currently have the worst fast bowling record among all teams. Their pace unit has an average of 65.81, which is significantly higher (and worse) than any other team. Across five matches, seven MI pacers have bowled 63.4 overs, conceding 724 runs while taking just 11 wickets. This lack of penetration and control has been a major concern for the franchise.

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans have emerged as the benchmark for pace bowling this season. Their four प्रमुख pacers—Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, and Ashok Sharma—have formed a dominant quartet. Together, they have delivered an outstanding bowling average of 24.89, the best among all teams. In the same span of five matches, they bowled 75 overs, picked up 29 wickets, and conceded 722 runs—showing both consistency and wicket-taking ability.

Following Gujarat, Chennai Super Kings rank second with a pace average of 25.9. Teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (26.16), Sunrisers Hyderabad (27.1), and Rajasthan Royals (28.08) are also performing strongly with the ball.

In the mid-tier, Lucknow Super Giants hold the sixth spot with an average of 28.21. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals have averages above 33, indicating inconsistent performances. Punjab Kings are further down with an average around 38.

These numbers clearly highlight how crucial an effective pace attack is in T20 cricket. While Mumbai Indians have the biggest names on paper, Gujarat Titans have shown that performance and coordination matter more than reputation.