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Mumbai Indians (MI) have been dealt a major blow ahead of the IPL 2025 season as their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to miss the first few matches due to an ongoing recovery from a back injury.
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Bumrah Yet to Attain Full Match Fitness
Bumrah has been out of competitive action since the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney, where he sustained a back injury. The pacer was also ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, failing to recover in time.
Now, according to a report in the Times of India, Bumrah is unlikely to be fully fit before the IPL 2025 kicks off and could be sidelined for at least two weeks.
“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 the 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 TOI.
Bumrah Under Strict Supervision; Workload to Be Managed
The report also suggests that Bumrah has not yet started bowling at full intensity, and his workload will be increased gradually under the supervision of the medical team.
“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.
Big Setback for Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians are slated to play four matches in the first two weeks of IPL 2025, and Bumrah’s absence could significantly impact their bowling attack. The five-time champions have struggled in recent seasons and were hoping for a strong start to turn things around.
MI will now have to rely on their other pace options to fill the void left by Bumrah until he regains full fitness.
BCCI Prioritizing Bumrah & Shami’s Fitness for England Tour
Meanwhile, the BCCI is cautious about rushing Bumrah back, as they want both him and Mohammad Shami to be fully fit for India’s five-Test tour of England post-IPL 2025.
“How Shami and Bumrah endure the long IPL will be important. Shami is under constant watch. If the selectors get both of them together for two-three Tests, it will be the ideal situation. The team management will also be cautious of pushing the duo to play all Tests together.
Nobody wants either of them breaking down in the middle of a Test, like what happened with Bumrah in Sydney. Too much depended on him alone in Australia,” the source stated.
What’s Next for Bumrah?
For now, Bumrah will continue his rehabilitation and gradually build up his bowling intensity at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). If all goes well, MI fans can expect him to make a comeback by the first week of April.
However, MI’s initial campaign in IPL 2025 will require some tactical adjustments, given that their bowling spearhead won’t be available for the crucial opening games.
