It is still unclear how much longer the experienced pacer will remain sidelined.
Jasprit Bumrah has not yet fully recovered from his injury. His chances of playing at the start of the IPL are slim, meaning Mumbai Indians might have to plan without this seasoned pacer for the first few matches.
The IPL will kick off on March 22, and it is expected that if the BCCI medical team clears him, Bumrah will be able to join Mumbai in early April. Mumbai has three matches scheduled for March.
However, it’s still uncertain how many matches Bumrah will miss in the IPL. Currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Indian Board’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, no specific date has been announced for his return to the field.
Bumrah has been out since January. After leaving the field with a back injury during the final Test of the Australia series, he hasn’t played any matches.
India had initially included him in their Champions Trophy squad, hoping for his return. However, his fitness concerns led to his exclusion from the final squad, and India went on to win their third title without him.
Bumrah underwent back surgery in March 2023, and this is the first time he’s suffered from a back issue since then.
Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast-bowling legend who worked as Mumbai’s bowling coach for several years and is now the Rajasthan Royals’ bowling coach, recently advised not to rush Bumrah’s recovery.
Mumbai will play their first two matches of this IPL season away. The five-time champions will begin their campaign on March 23 against Chennai Super Kings. On March 29, they will face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, followed by a match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede on March 31.
In the first week of April, Mumbai has two matches scheduled. On April 4, they’ll face Lucknow Super Giants, followed by a home game against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 7.
There is a strong possibility that Mumbai will not have Bumrah for these matches.
Bumrah has been with Mumbai Indians since 2013 and won his first IPL title in his debut season. He played a crucial role in securing four more titles for Mumbai.
So far, Bumrah has played 133 IPL matches, taking 165 wickets at an economy rate of 7.30 per over. He has taken four or five wickets in a match twice.
