Key Highlights:
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to throw up thrilling contests and unexpected results, Mumbai Indians (MI) face a concerning development with their spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of Friday’s crucial clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). To add to the franchise’s woes, Bumrah is now doubtful for MI’s next home fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scheduled for April 7.
Multiple sources have confirmed to Hindustan Herald that the India pacer is in the final stages of his recovery and is yet to receive medical clearance from the BCCI to return to competitive action.
Why Is Bumrah Not Playing in IPL 2025 Yet?
Bumrah has been in rehabilitation since January 2025, dealing with a stress-related discomfort in his lower back. This injury emerged during the second day of the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy held in Sydney earlier this year. He was subsequently ruled out of the Champions Trophy, which India went on to win without his services.
Following the injury, Bumrah was asked to offload for a minimum of five weeks by the BCCI medical team. Although initially included in India’s provisional Champions Trophy squad, he continued to experience pain and was not named in the final list. Since then, the focus has been entirely on his long-term fitness, especially with the England Test series set to begin from June 28.
Rehab at BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
Bumrah has been undergoing structured rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he has slowly been building up his bowling workload over the past few weeks. As of now, he is close to taking his final round of fitness tests, but there is still no official timeline for when he will join the MI squad.
This cautious approach is also being driven by Bumrah himself, who is determined not to rush back into action and risk a recurrence. With India’s packed international calendar in mind, prioritizing full recovery over IPL appearances has been a collective decision involving the pacer, MI management, and the BCCI.
What Did Mahela Jayawardene Say About Bumrah?
The last public update on Bumrah came on March 19, when MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene admitted that missing Bumrah was a “challenge.” At that time, Jayawardene had hoped Bumrah would join the squad in early April, after missing the March matches.
However, as things stand, that timeline has shifted, and Bumrah is now unlikely to be available until mid-April, depending on how he responds to the final stages of his rehab and testing.
Mumbai Indians’ Performance Without Bumrah in IPL 2025
MI have played three matches so far, winning one and losing two. The absence of Bumrah has been significantly felt, especially in the death overs, where the bowling attack has lacked both control and intimidation.
In Bumrah’s absence, MI have turned to a mix of young debutants and experienced names:
- Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar have led the attack.
- Hardik Pandya has chipped in with his medium pace.
- Satyanarayana Raju, Vignesh Puthur, and Ashwani Kumar have made their IPL debuts.
Despite flashes of promise, none have been able to fill the void left by Bumrah, particularly in crunch moments.
Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL Legacy with MI
Bumrah has been a cornerstone of MI’s bowling unit since 2013, taking 165 wickets in 133 matches. He has been pivotal in MI’s five IPL titles, known for his unmatched control in the powerplay and at the death.
The 2023 season was the only IPL he missed before this, owing to a back surgery that kept him out of action for nearly a year. The current injury, although less severe, is being managed with utmost caution, considering his long-term importance to Indian cricket.
Why This Recovery Is Crucial for India
Bumrah’s return is not just important for MI but also for the Indian national team. With the five-Test series in England starting in late June, his fitness will play a key role in India’s plans.
The 2023 surgery was a major turning point, and any signs of recurring back trouble must be addressed comprehensively, not patched temporarily.
The BCCI, MI, and Bumrah all seem aligned on one point: no comeback unless fully fit.
What’s Next for Bumrah?
Bumrah is expected to undergo the final phase of bowling workload tests under the supervision of Nitin Patel and the BCCI medical team. If cleared, he may rejoin the MI squad later in April, potentially in time for key matches that could determine playoff qualification.
However, no official date has been confirmed yet, and Bumrah himself is not in a rush, prioritizing longevity over short-term gains.
Key Upcoming Matches for MI (April 2025)
- April 5: MI vs LSG (Lucknow) – Bumrah OUT
- April 7: MI vs RCB (Mumbai) – Bumrah DOUBTFUL
- April 11: MI vs SRH (Hyderabad) – Bumrah MAY RETURN
- April 15: MI vs CSK (Mumbai) – Target comeback match?
MI fans and Indian cricket followers will be watching closely to see if Bumrah can make a symbolic return in a high-voltage fixture like MI vs CSK.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald