With the Indian Premier League 2025 underway, Mumbai Indians have been without their star pacer -- Jasprit Bumrah. He is set to miss the first few matches.
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The fast bowler is still recovering from a back injury that has kept him out of action since January. While MI fans are eager to see him back in action, reports suggest that Bumrah is likely to join the squad by mid April, subject to clearance from the medical team at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
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Bumrah suffered a stress-related lower back injury on the second day of the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney on January 4. He was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 -- which India eventually won. This is the first major back injury for the pacer since undergoing surgery in March 2023.
When will Jasprit Bumrah play his first match for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025?
Jasprit Bumrah’s return to cricket has been delayed as the BCCI’s medical team doesn’t want to take any risks with his injury. Though he has started bowling in the nets -- he hasn’t yet reached full intensity.
There are concerns that rushing him back could lead to a stress fracture -- which would be a major setback. While he was initially expected to return in early April -- his comeback might now be pushed to mid-April but there is no clear timeline yet.
Given his importance to both Mumbai Indians and the Indian team -- it might be best for him to recover fully before returning to action.
If Bumrah does return in mid-April as expected, he could be in contention for MI’s matches against Sunrises Hyderabad on April 17 and Chennai Super Kings on April 20.
Bumrah’s unconventional bowling action has made him more prone to back injuries. BCCI and team management will be carefully managing his workload.
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Given that India have a five-Test series in England starting in June -- there is a strong focus on his complete recovery rather than rushing him back into IPL action. Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, who previously worked as MI’s bowling coach, has expressed concerns about Bumrah’s injury.
Bond warned that if the pacer suffers another back issue in the same area where he had surgery, it could be a “career ender.” He also pointed out the challenges fast bowlers face when transitioning too quickly between T20 and Test cricket, something India will need to be mindful of with Bumrah’s upcoming workload.