Will Jasprit Bumrah’s Comeback? Mumbai Indians to get a Huge Boost Ahead of IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians (MI) have received a significant boost ahead of IPL 2025, with ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah returning to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s Centre of Excellence, formerly known as the National Cricket Academy (NCA). This visit comes just days before MI's opening clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday.

As per a Cricbuzz report, Bumrah has made his second trip to the facility in the past two weeks to evaluate his fitness and obtain clearance to participate in the tournament.

Bumrah's IPL Availability Still Uncertain

"After visiting the Centre of Excellence over a week ago, Bumrah has returned for further assessment of his fitness. His participation in the IPL—whether full or partial—will be determined based on this evaluation," the report stated.

While his return to competitive cricket is not yet confirmed, reports suggest that Bumrah could be fit for action as early as next week. However, it is highly likely that he will miss MI’s first two games.

"If he experiences no discomfort while bowling and remains pain-free, he could be cleared for the IPL. However, early indications suggest that he may need another week to regain full match fitness, ruling him out of Mumbai Indians’ initial two fixtures," the report further mentioned.

Jayawardene: "Not Having Bumrah Is a Challenge"

Speaking on the situation, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene refrained from setting a definite timeline for Bumrah's return but acknowledged that his absence would be a significant challenge for the team.

"Jasprit is currently at the NCA, progressing through his rehabilitation. We are awaiting feedback from the BCCI medical team. So far, everything seems to be on track, but it’s a day-to-day process," Jayawardene told ESPNcricinfo.

"He is one of the best bowlers in the world and has been a crucial player for us for many years. Not having him will be a challenge, but we have to find ways to adapt."

Mumbai Indians Looking for Alternatives

Jayawardene also hinted that MI might explore other options to fill the void left by Bumrah in the opening stages of the tournament.

"We will have to wait and see, or perhaps give an opportunity to someone else to step up. The initial phase of the IPL allows us to experiment and test different combinations," he added.

With MI aiming for a record-extending sixth IPL title, Bumrah’s return will be crucial to their campaign. His fitness updates in the coming days will determine when he can step back onto the field for the five-time champions.