In a major blow for Mumbai Indians (MI), their fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss a few games in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Bumrah was injured during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. he was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to lower back injury and since then there is not official medical update on the bowler from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical staff.
As per a report by TOI, Bumrah is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE), Bengaluru. He may miss the first week or two of the next season.
"Bumrah's medical reports are okay. He has resumed bowling at the CoE. However, it is unlikely he'll be able to bowl at the start of the IPL in another fortnight. As per current status, the first week of April looks a more realistic date for him to get back to high-intensity cricket," a BCCI source told the English daily.
"It's standard operating procedure. The medical team will gradually build up his workload and intensity. Unless he is able to bowl full tilt without any discomfort for some days, the medical team is unlikely to clear him," the source added.
MI's first few games and Bumrah's return
MI are scheduled to start their campaign against Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Their second match is against Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29 and third game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Wankhede Stadium on March 31.
Bumrah is likely to join MI's camp in April. However, it is not confirmed whether he will be available for the clash on April 4 against Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium. If not the match against LSG, the 31-year-old will be back in the side to play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home on April 7.
In Bumrah's absence, the new ball will be taken by Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult. However, the main issue will be their death bowling.
Mumbai Indians' updated full squad for IPL 2025
Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Ryan Rickelton, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, Krishnan Shrijith, Raj Angad Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur.