Cricket fans, especially those cheering for Mumbai Indians (MI), are eagerly awaiting the return of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Unfortunately, it looks like they'll have to wait a little longer.

Bumrah's Recovery: When Will He Play?

It's been confirmed that Bumrah is set to miss the initial few games of the 2025 IPL season. He's still recovering from a back injury that has sidelined him since January. While there's no definitive return date, sources suggest he could potentially join the MI squad around early April, pending clearance from the BCCI's medical team.

• Expected Return: Early April (subject to fitness)
• Missed Games: Likely the first three or more games of the season

This back injury is a stress-related issue in his lower back, which he suffered during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Sydney on January 4th. This setback caused him to miss the Champions Trophy earlier this month, which India won.

The Injury & Bumrah's Workload

Bumrah's unique bowling action puts him at a higher risk for back injuries. This has led the BCCI medical team and selectors to closely manage his workload. The concern revolves around a potential quick transition from T20 cricket, like the IPL, to Test cricket. India is scheduled to play a five-Test series in England in June, shortly after the IPL ends in May.

• BCCI's Focus: Careful management to balance his workload and give optimal rest.
• Shane Bond's Warning: Potential career-ending risk if he suffers another back injury in the same spot.

MI's Early Schedule

MI's schedule in the initial weeks of IPL 2025 is also a factor to consider. Their first two matches are away fixtures:

• March 23: vs. Chennai Super Kings in Chennai
• March 29: vs. Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad
• March 31: 1st Home game vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
• April 4: vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow
• April 7: Home vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

This will impact the team balance, so MI fans will be hoping that Bumrah is back soon!