Mumbai Indians (MI) will start their IPL 2025 campaign without their ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, as he continues his recovery from a back injury. The 30-year-old fast bowler, who has been sidelined since January, is expected to join the squad by early April, subject to clearance from the medical team at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Bumrah’s Injury and Road to Recovery
Bumrah suffered a stress-related injury in his lower back during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney on January 4. As a result, he was ruled out of the Champions Trophy, which India went on to win earlier this month.
This is Bumrah’s first major back injury since undergoing surgery in March 2023. India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, had initially stated that Bumrah needed at least five weeks of rest following the SCG Test. Although he was included in India’s provisional Champions Trophy squad, he continued to experience discomfort after fresh scans in February, leading to his exclusion from the final squad.
Mumbai Indians’ Schedule and Bumrah’s Expected Return
While there is no confirmed date for Bumrah’s return, MI will play three matches in March before his expected arrival in April. Their opening fixtures include:
- March 23: vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai
- March 29: vs Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad
- March 31: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Mumbai (First home game)
Following these, MI plays two more matches in early April:
- April 4: vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow
- April 7: vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Mumbai
If Bumrah receives medical clearance, he could return for one of these early April fixtures, but his participation remains uncertain.
Managing Bumrah’s Workload and Long-Term Concerns
Bumrah’s unorthodox action has made him prone to back injuries, and the BCCI’s medical team has been carefully managing his workload. His absence from IPL 2025’s initial matches is part of this strategy to ensure his long-term fitness, especially with India’s crucial five-Test series in England set to begin in June, just a month after the IPL concludes on May 25.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, who previously worked with Bumrah as MI’s bowling coach, has warned that another back injury in the same area where he had surgery could be a “career-ender.” Bond also highlighted the risk of transitioning too quickly between T20 and Test cricket, citing it as a key concern for Bumrah ahead of India’s England tour.
MI’s Bowling Challenge Without Bumrah
Bumrah’s absence will be a significant blow for Mumbai Indians, who rely heavily on his ability to deliver in crunch situations. Without him, MI’s pace attack will have to step up, with the likes of Gerald Coetzee, Jason Behrendorff, and Akash Madhwal expected to shoulder the responsibility.
As MI aims for a strong start to the season, they will be eagerly awaiting Bumrah’s return, hoping their premier pacer regains full fitness to bolster their campaign.
