Mumbai Indians’ premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is set to miss the initial matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season due to a stress-related injury in his lower back. This injury, sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney on January 4, has sidelined him from competitive cricket since then.Bumrah has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. While he is making progress, the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain. Mumbai Indians’ head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, acknowledged the challenge of Bumrah’s absence, stating, “Not having him is a challenge. He is one of the best bowlers in the world and he has been a fantastic pro for us for many years.”In Bumrah’s absence, Mumbai Indians will rely on their other pace options, including Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, and Reece Topley. The team will also look to captain Hardik Pandya and uncapped Indian bowlers Ashwani Kumar, Satyanarayana Raju, and Arjun Tendulkar to step up during this period. Jayawardene expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, noting that this situation provides an opportunity to try different combinations and strategies.
The Mumbai Indians commenced their IPL 2025 campaign against the Chennai Super Kings on March 23, followed by matches against Gujarat Titans on March 29 and Kolkata Knight Riders on March 31. They are scheduled to play Lucknow Super Giants on April 4 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 7. Bumrah’s participation in these fixtures is contingent upon his recovery and clearance from the medical team. Former New Zealand fast bowler and ex-Mumbai Indians bowling coach, Shane Bond, emphasized the importance of cautious management of Bumrah’s workload. He warned that another injury in the same area could be career-threatening, highlighting the risks associated with transitioning too quickly between T20 and Test cricket formats. As the Mumbai Indians aim for their sixth IPL title, the team and its supporters will be hopeful for Bumrah’s swift and complete recovery, recognizing his pivotal role in the squad’s success.