Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad in their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has raised significant concerns regarding his recovery from a stress-related back injury.
The injury, sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January, has kept the ace pacer sidelined and ruled him out of the Champions Trophy as well.
As MI faced CSK without two of their key players—Bumrah and Hardik Pandya—assistant coach Paras Mhambrey addressed the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s return.
Current Status of Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) since his injury.
Despite positive signs regarding his recovery, Mhambrey indicated that there is still no clear timeline for when Bumrah might return to action.
“He is doing well. Whatever information we have from the NCA, we are happy with his progress,” Mhambrey stated.
However, he refrained from providing a specific timeframe, emphasizing that the upper management is coordinating closely with NCA staff.
Impact of His Absence on MI
The absence of Bumrah was felt acutely during MI’s match against CSK, where they suffered a four-wicket defeat.
Many fans and analysts noted that facing CSK without their star bowler was a significant disadvantage.
CSK successfully chased down MI’s total of 156 runs, highlighting the need for a strong bowling attack that Bumrah typically provides.
Coaching Staff’s Perspective
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene acknowledged the challenge posed by Bumrah’s absence, stating, “Not having him is a challenge. He is one of the best bowlers in the world and has been a fantastic pro for us for many years.”
Jayawardene expressed hope that Bumrah would soon rejoin the team but reiterated that it would depend on continuous assessments from the medical team at NCA.
Looking Ahead
As MI navigates through IPL 2025 without one of their most crucial players, they will need to adapt and find ways to compensate for Bumrah’s absence.
The coaching staff remains optimistic about his recovery but recognizes that it is a day-to-day process.
With Bumrah’s track record – 165 wickets in 133 IPL matches at an impressive average of 22.51—his return will be vital for MI as they aim for a successful season.
Until then, fans and management alike will be waiting anxiously for updates on his fitness and potential return to the field.
