Jasprit Bumrah's Absence and Expected Return for Mumbai Indians
Star Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will be unavailable for at least the next two matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for Mumbai Indians, according to a report published by ESPNCricinfo on Friday. The 31-year-old bowler, renowned for his crucial performances, last played a competitive match in the first week of January 2025.
Match Details and Timeline
- Missed Match: Mumbai Indians vs. Lucknow Super Giants – April 4, 2025, at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
- Doubtful Match: Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – April 7, 2025, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Background and Current Status
Bumrah boasts an impressive IPL record, having claimed 165 wickets in 133 matches. His current absence stems from a period of recovery and fitness assessment following his last competitive appearance. He has been diligently working on building his bowling workload at the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Road to Recovery and Return
- Fitness Workload: Bumrah has been progressively increasing his bowling workload at the BCCI facility.
- Fitness Tests: He is understood to be nearing the final round of fitness tests, a crucial step towards his return.
- BCCI Clearance: The final clearance to rejoin Mumbai Indians and participate in the IPL is dependent on a positive assessment from the BCCI medical team.
Cautious Approach and Future Considerations
It's been reported that Bumrah himself is taking a cautious approach to his return, prioritizing full fitness. This careful consideration is particularly important given the upcoming five-Test series for India in England, slated to commence on June 28, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why is Jasprit Bumrah missing matches? Bumrah is undergoing a recovery and fitness assessment following his last competitive match.
- When is he expected to return? He will miss at least the next two matches, and his return date is contingent on passing final fitness tests.
- What is the significance of his return in relation to the England series? Bumrah's cautious approach is influenced by the need to ensure he’s fully fit for India’s crucial Test series against England.
- Where has he been undergoing his fitness regime? Bumrah has been working on his fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.