Jasprit Bumrah, the star pacer and stand-in captain of the Indian cricket team, is likely to be ruled out of IPL 2025 due to a back injury sustained during the ongoing fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
This development has raised concerns among fans and the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, who were counting on Bumrah’s exceptional bowling skills for the upcoming season.
Injury Details
Bumrah experienced a back spasm on Day 2 of the Test match, which forced him to leave the field after bowling just one over in the second session.
Following his departure, he was taken for precautionary scans to assess the severity of his condition.
While initial reports suggested that he might be fit enough to bat, it has been confirmed that his participation in IPL 2025 is now in serious doubt due to the nature of his injury.
Prasidh Krishna, a teammate, provided updates on Bumrah’s condition, stating that he is being closely monitored by the medical team.
“He had a back spasm. He had gone for scans. The medical team is monitoring him,” Krishna said, indicating that while Bumrah’s ability to bat might still be intact, his bowling future in the match remains uncertain.
Impact on Mumbai Indians
Bumrah’s absence would be a significant blow for MI, as he has been a cornerstone of their bowling attack since joining the franchise in 2013.
He has consistently delivered outstanding performances and played a crucial role in MI’s five IPL titles.
Retained for INR 18 crore ahead of IPL 2025, his potential absence will leave a considerable gap in MI’s strategy as they look to compete for another championship.
Potential Replacements for MI
With Bumrah likely sidelined, MI will need to explore replacement options to bolster their bowling lineup. Here are three players who could step in:
- Mustafizur Rahman: The Bangladeshi pacer is renowned for his exceptional death-bowling skills and ability to take wickets under pressure. His experience in T20 leagues around the world makes him a strong candidate to replace Bumrah.
- Umesh Yadav: An experienced campaigner in the IPL, Umesh has played 148 matches and taken 144 wickets at an economy rate of 8.45. His ability to take wickets in powerplays makes him a valuable asset for MI, although he may not match Bumrah’s prowess in death overs.
- Kartik Tyagi: Known for his pace and ability to bowl yorkers, Tyagi has shown promise in previous IPL seasons. His experience and skill set could provide MI with a solid option to replace Bumrah’s contributions.
