Jasprit Bumrah, the star bowler for Mumbai Indians (MI), will not play in their upcoming IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday. He is also uncertain for MI’s next game, scheduled for April 7 at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Bumrah has been in rehab since January due to a stress-related discomfort in his lower back.
Bumrah’s Rehab Progress and Fitness Test Ahead
Reports from ESPNcricinfo suggest that Bumrah is making progress in his recovery. He has been gradually increasing his bowling workload at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Bumrah is now nearing the final round of fitness tests, which will determine when he can make his return to playing.
BCCI Medical Team’s Clearance Required for Return
Before Bumrah can return to action, he must receive clearance from the BCCI medical team. Only after this approval will he rejoin the Mumbai Indians squad for the ongoing IPL season.
Bumrah Cautious About His Return
Bumrah himself is being cautious with his recovery. He wants to ensure that he is fully fit before returning to the field, especially with India’s upcoming five-Test series in England starting on June 28. Bumrah’s main focus is on long-term fitness to avoid any further setbacks.
Mumbai Indians Struggle Without Bumrah
So far in IPL 2025, Mumbai Indians have played three matches, winning one and losing two. In Bumrah’s absence, new players like Satyanarayana Raju, Vignesh Puthur, and Ashwani Kumar have made their debuts. With Bumrah unavailable, MI’s pace attack has been led by Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, while Hardik Pandya also serves as a seam-bowling option.
Previous Injury and Absence from IPL 2023
This injury is not Bumrah’s first battle with back issues. The latest injury occurred on January 4, during the second day of the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney. Following this, he was ruled out of the Champions Trophy, which India went on to win. This marks the first time Bumrah has suffered a back injury since undergoing surgery in March 2023.
Bumrah’s Absence and IPL History
Bumrah has been a key player for Mumbai Indians since 2013, taking 165 wickets in 133 matches. The only IPL season he missed was in 2023 due to his previous back injury. Despite the ongoing recovery, Bumrah’s return to the IPL remains uncertain, and MI fans will have to wait for further updates on his fitness.
Conclusion: Bumrah’s Return Still Unclear
With Mumbai Indians already facing a challenging start to IPL 2025, Bumrah’s return would be a welcome boost. However, his priority remains getting fully fit before returning to competitive cricket, with the England tour looming large in the summer. Fans will have to remain patient as they await official news on his availability for MI’s upcoming matches.
