The Mumbai Indians (MI) aren’t sure when Jasprit Bumrah will join their squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The ace pacer has been out with injury for nearly four months due to a back injury.
It was reported earlier in the month that Bumrah could be back after the first two weeks of the IPL 2025. This would suggest he might play against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 7.
Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL comeback unconfirmed
But, according to MI head coach Mahela Jayawardena, there isn’t any confirmed date for Bumrah’s return. Ever since getting injured, the unorthodox pacer has been under the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) supervision.
His fitness is being charted by the medical staff at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (formerly National Cricket Academy). But MI hasn’t been provided with a tentative return date, as per the MI head coach.
“On a daily basis, he’s going through his programme. So far everything seems ok, but there were no timelines given by the NCA, so we’ll wait on that,” Jayawardena told reporters in Ahmedabad before MI’s clash against the Gujarat Titans.
Bumrah had already started bowling in late February, but it seems that he’s still not ready for competitive cricket.
How important Bumrah is for MI
Bumrah wasn’t just MI’s but also the IPL’s best bowler last season. The average first-innings score was 189 (9.45 economy), and the pacer gave away just 6.48 runs per over and also took 20 wickets in 13 matches.
“He is doing well. I thought whatever information we got from the NCA, we are happy with his progress. But I won’t dwell into the time frame right now. I would leave it to the upper management team, who are coordinating with the NCA guys. They are pretty happy. Fingers crossed, so I definitely would want him. He is a big part of the Mumbai Indians, a success for many years. I would definitely want him in the team. We are happy with the progress, and we will just see how it goes,” MI head coach Paras Mhambrey had said after facing the Chennai Super Kings on March 23.
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