Jasprit Bumrah is expected to sit out the opening matches of IPL 2025 as he continues to recover from a lower back injury that has sidelined him since January. Mumbai Indians (MI) will likely be without their star pacer for at least the first few games, with a tentative return expected in early April, subject to clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Bumrah’s Injury and Recovery Timeline
Bumrah suffered a stress-related back injury on January 4 during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation, missing India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign earlier this month.
While ESPN Cricinfo reports that Bumrah had been included in India’s provisional squad for the tournament, fresh scans in February revealed lingering discomfort, ruling him out of the final selection.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar previously stated that Bumrah had been advised to rest for at least five weeks post-injury, which extended beyond the Champions Trophy. His return remains uncertain, with no confirmed number of games he might miss in the IPL.
Mumbai Indians’ Early Fixtures Without Bumrah
Mumbai Indians have three matches scheduled in March before Bumrah is expected to rejoin the squad:
- March 23: vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Chennai
- March 29: vs Gujarat Titans (GT) – Ahmedabad
- March 31: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Mumbai
Their next two fixtures in early April include games against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 4 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7. If Bumrah gets medical clearance in early April, he could make his return for one of these matches.
Concerns Over Bumrah’s Workload and Future Risks
Bumrah’s unique bowling action makes him vulnerable to back injuries. The BCCI medical team, selectors, and MI management have been carefully managing his workload to prevent further setbacks.
Former MI bowling coach Shane Bond, who worked closely with Bumrah, expressed concerns over the pacer’s long-term fitness. He warned that if Bumrah sustains another injury in the same spot where he had surgery in March 2023, it could be a “career-ending” setback.
Bond also pointed out the risks of fast bowlers transitioning too quickly from T20 cricket to Tests, especially with India set to tour England for a five-Test series in June, barely a month after the IPL 2025 final on May 25.
As Mumbai Indians prepare for the upcoming season, Bumrah’s availability remains a key factor. Fans will be eagerly waiting for updates from the BCCI’s official website regarding his recovery progress.
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