India, April 18 -- Jasprit Bumrah is going through a phase that feels unfamiliar for a bowler of his calibre. Five matches without a wicket is not something usually associated with him, given his reputation for delivering breakthroughs at crucial moments. Captains have long relied on him to turn games, but this IPL season, he seems to have hit a roadblock.

He has been experimenting, mixing up his variations and trying different approaches, yet the results haven't followed. There are glimpses of control and discipline, but the sharp, decisive edge that defines his bowling has been missing. For someone known for his ability to strike under pressure, it's a rare lean patch he will be keen to move past quickly.

Former India opener Wasim Jaf...