Jasprit Bumrah Injury Update: MI Pacer to Miss Next Two IPL 2025 Matches
Mumbai Indians (MI) will have to navigate at least their next two IPL 2025 fixtures without their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm quick, who has been sidelined since January with a stress-related back injury, continues his rehabilitation but is not yet cleared for competitive cricket. This confirms his absence from Friday’s clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and casts doubt over his availability for the subsequent match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.
ESPNcricinfo reports that Bumrah is progressing well in his recovery at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He has been steadily increasing his bowling workload under the supervision of the BCCI’s medical team. A final round of fitness tests is imminent, and his return to the MI playing XI hinges on receiving the green light from the medical staff. Bumrah is understandably cautious, prioritizing a full recovery before returning to the rigors of competitive cricket. With India’s five-Test series against England looming in June, he is keen to avoid any setbacks that could jeopardize his participation in this crucial series.
MI’s campaign has gotten off to a rocky start, with one win and two losses in their first three matches. Bumrah’s absence has created a void in their bowling attack, forcing the team to rely on newer faces like Satyanarayana Raju, Vignesh Puthur, and Ashwani Kumar, who have all made their IPL debuts this season. Experienced campaigners Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar have shouldered the responsibility of leading the pace attack, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya providing valuable support.
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene had initially indicated in late March that Bumrah’s return was expected sometime in April, after missing the initial phase of the tournament. However, the recovery timeline has been slightly extended. Bumrah’s absence throughout the 2024 IPL season and subsequent unavailability for India’s international commitments underscores the severity of the back injury he sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney in January 2024. This injury also forced him to withdraw from the Champions Trophy in February, despite being initially named in the provisional squad.
Bumrah, a vital cog in the MI machinery since his debut in 2013, boasts an impressive IPL record with 165 wickets in 133 matches. The 33-year-old’s return will be a significant boost for MI, who are eager to have their spearhead back in action as they aim to turn their fortunes around in the IPL 2025 season. The franchise and its fans remain hopeful for his complete recovery and swift return to the field.
