Fans are eagerly anticipating the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), commencing on March 22. The opening match will feature defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Kolkata. However, five-time champions Mumbai Indians might encounter a significant setback as star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the initial matches. Bumrah, 31, is currently recovering from a lower back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in January.
According to reports, Bumrah is expected to miss the first two to three games for Mumbai Indians as a precautionary measure.
‘Bumrah’s medical evaluations are positive. He has started bowling again. However, it is improbable that he will be ready to bowl at the beginning of the IPL in the next couple of weeks. Currently, the first week of April appears to be a more realistic timeframe for his return to high-level cricket,’ a source from BCCI stated.
‘This is standard procedure. The medical team will gradually increase his training and intensity. He will only be cleared by the medical team if he can bowl at full intensity without any discomfort for a period of time.’
The BCCI and NCA management are also focusing on the fitness of both Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, especially with the England Tour following IPL 2025.
‘It is crucial to monitor how Shami and Bumrah manage the long IPL season. Shami is under close observation. Ideally, selectors would want both of them available for two to three Test matches. The team management will also be careful not to push them to play all Tests consecutively, to prevent injuries like Bumrah’s in Sydney. There was excessive reliance on Bumrah in Australia,’ sources mentioned in the report.
