Still unsure: MI coach not clear about Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL 2025 return

IPL 2025: Jasprit Bumrah’s absence was striking as the Mumbai Indians faced off against the Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2025 opener on Sunday. The Indian pacer is still on the road to recovery from a stress-related back injury, which has kept him sidelined since January. The injury occurred during the second day of the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test and led to his withdrawal from the Champions Trophy campaign. This marks the first back injury Bumrah has experienced since undergoing surgery in March 2023.

Notably, during the Champions Trophy squad announcement in January, Ajit Agarkar shared that the BCCI medical team had advised Bumrah to rest for at least five weeks to facilitate his recovery.

Speaking after MI’s defeat to CSK, assistant coach Paras Mhambrey was asked about Bumrah’s return. But the former cricketer’s response showed that Bumrah’s return could take some time.

“He is doing well. I thought whatever information we got from the NCA, we are happy with his progress,” he said. 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 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,” he further added.

Jasprit Bumrah has claimed 165 wickets across 133 IPL matches, maintaining an impressive average of 22.51 and an economy rate of 7.30. This achievement positions him as Mumbai Indians’ second-highest wicket-taker, trailing only Lasith Malinga. Additionally, Bumrah boasts two five-wicket hauls and four four-wicket hauls in his stellar IPL career.