Jasprit Bumrah is back and ready to play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025. This will be a huge relief for the team, which has struggled with consistency so far. Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai on Monday. Bumrah had been out due to a back injury since January, after he got injured during India’s Tour of Australia. In his absence, MI has lost three of their last four matches.
Bumrah’s Recovery and Return to Action
Bumrah had been focusing on his recovery and rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. After months of careful training, he has been given the green light to play. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed Bumrah’s availability on Sunday, saying, “He is available. He is training today, so he should be available.”
How Bumrah’s Return Can Impact the Game
Bumrah’s return can make a big difference for Mumbai Indians, especially with the tough opponents they are facing. Royal Challengers Bangalore has star players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Phil Salt, and Bumrah’s bowling skills will be key in controlling these big hitters. Ahead of the match, MI posted a video showing Bumrah practicing his deadly yorker, a key part of his bowling arsenal.
Managing Expectations from Bumrah
Mahela Jayawardene emphasized that Bumrah is coming back after a long break, and the team should give him space to settle in. He mentioned, “We cannot expect too much from him right away, but knowing Jasprit, he will be up for it.” Jayawardene also highlighted the value of Bumrah’s experience. “Having him in the camp is fantastic. His advice to bowlers like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar will be really helpful,” he added.
Bumrah’s Injury History and IPL Career
Bumrah has been a key player for Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career, picking up 165 wickets in 133 matches since his debut in 2013. The only season he missed was in 2023, due to a back injury. This current injury is a result of a surgery he had in March 2023. Despite MI finishing at the bottom of the IPL table last season, Bumrah was their top wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 13 matches. He had an average of 16.80 and his best figures were 5/21.
Bumrah’s Future Plans
While his focus is on the IPL right now, Bumrah’s next big challenge will be the five-Test series against England starting in June. This will be the beginning of India’s World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, and Bumrah will play a critical role. The BCCI has been very careful about his fitness to ensure he is fully recovered before taking on such important assignments.
Bumrah’s return to Mumbai Indians will be exciting for the team and their fans. His skills and leadership will bring a much-needed boost to their performance in the IPL 2025.
