Jasprit Bumrah’s Continued Absence in IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Struggle Without Their Star Pacer
Mumbai Indians’ pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains sidelined due to a back injury, forcing him to miss the team’s first home game of the IPL 2025 season against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium. This marks yet another setback for MI, who have already suffered two consecutive losses in the tournament and now find themselves without their most potent bowling weapon.
Bumrah’s last competitive appearance came during India’s fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2025. However, he was only able to bowl in the first innings before his back problem resurfaced. Initially, he was included in India’s provisional squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, but lingering concerns over his fitness led to his replacement by young pacer Harshit Rana.
Mumbai Indians Face Tough Start in IPL 2025 Without Bumrah
Mumbai Indians have had an underwhelming start to their IPL 2025 campaign, losing both of their opening matches. Their first defeat came against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23, where they lost by four wickets, followed by a 36-run defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29. The five-time champions were already struggling with their bowling attack, and Bumrah’s continued absence has only exacerbated their problems.
MI’s bowling unit has looked ineffective in the powerplay and death overs—phases where Bumrah’s skill set is invaluable. His ability to generate movement with the new ball and execute pinpoint yorkers in the slog overs has been a crucial factor in MI’s past successes. Without him, the bowling lineup lacks both experience and consistency.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Rehabilitation at the NCA
The 31-year-old pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Over the past few weeks, he has gradually increased his workload, and recent reports indicate that he has resumed bowling in the nets. A video of Bumrah bowling during a practice session at the NCA recently went viral, leading to speculation about his potential return to the Mumbai Indians squad.
“Bumrah has started bowling at the NCA. Don’t know when he will get the clearance, but feeling better after watching this clip,” read a social media post dated March 30, 2025.
Despite the optimism surrounding his progress, neither Mumbai Indians nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have provided any official confirmation regarding his return date. However, sources suggest that he could be fit to play by mid-April, depending on his recovery process.
Mumbai Indians vs. Kolkata Knight Riders: Playing XIs in Bumrah’s Absence
With Bumrah unavailable, Mumbai Indians have had to shuffle their bowling combination, relying on a mix of Indian and overseas pacers to fill the void. However, their performances so far have not been up to the mark, leaving MI’s management with a difficult challenge ahead.
Mumbai Indians XI
- Ryan Rickelton
- Will Jacks (w)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Ashwani Kumar
- Vignesh Puthur
Kolkata Knight Riders XI
- Quinton de Kock (w)
- Sunil Narine
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Rinku Singh
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Spencer Johnson
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakaravarthy
The Impact of Bumrah’s Absence on Mumbai Indians’ Bowling
Mumbai Indians’ struggles with the ball have been evident in the first two matches, with the team failing to contain opposition batters in both encounters. The lack of a quality death bowler has particularly hurt them, as their pacers have leaked runs in the final overs.
Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar have led the pace attack in Bumrah’s absence, but neither has been able to replicate his effectiveness. While Boult’s experience and swing bowling have been useful in the powerplay, he has not been able to execute yorkers and slower deliveries with the same consistency as Bumrah. Meanwhile, Chahar, known for his ability to move the ball early on, has struggled to provide breakthroughs.
The team has also experimented with Ashwani Kumar and Vignesh Puthur, but the young pacers are still finding their footing in the tournament. With KKR’s explosive batting lineup, including the likes of Andre Russell and Rinku Singh, MI’s bowlers will need to step up and deliver under pressure.
A Look at Bumrah’s IPL Legacy
Jasprit Bumrah has been an integral part of Mumbai Indians since making his IPL debut on April 4, 2013, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In that match, he made an immediate impact, taking three wickets for 32 runs in four overs, showcasing his raw talent and ability to handle pressure even at a young age. Over the past 12 seasons, he has evolved into one of the most formidable pacers in T20 cricket, known for his pinpoint accuracy, deceptive variations, and lethal yorkers that trouble even the best batters in the world.
From a promising youngster under the mentorship of Lasith Malinga to becoming Mumbai Indians’ bowling spearhead, Bumrah’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. His unorthodox action, combined with his ability to bowl with pace and movement, has made him one of the most challenging bowlers to face, particularly in the shortest format of the game. His early years with MI saw him grow steadily, learning the nuances of death bowling and handling high-pressure situations. By 2017, he had firmly established himself as one of the most reliable fast bowlers in the IPL, playing a crucial role in MI’s title-winning campaigns.
Bumrah’s impact goes beyond just the number of wickets he has taken. His ability to contain runs in the powerplay and at the death has been invaluable for Mumbai Indians, often changing the course of games with just a couple of overs. In a format where batters dominate, his consistent economy rate—hovering around 7 runs per over—is a testament to his skill and control. His best-ever IPL figures of 5/10 further highlight his ability to dismantle opposition batting lineups single-handedly.
One of the most significant aspects of Bumrah’s game is his temperament. He has a remarkable ability to stay calm under pressure, making him a nightmare for batters in crunch situations. Whether it’s defending a low total in the final over or breaking a crucial partnership, he has delivered match-winning performances time and again. His role in Mumbai Indians’ five IPL title wins has been instrumental, with his spells often turning the tide in favor of his team.
Beyond the IPL, Bumrah’s success with Mumbai Indians has also translated into international cricket, where he has become India’s premier fast bowler across formats. His performances in the IPL played a major role in fast-tracking him into the national team, and he has since gone on to dominate world cricket with his unique skill set.
As of IPL 2025, Bumrah remains one of the most valuable players for Mumbai Indians. His presence not only boosts the team’s bowling attack but also provides confidence to younger bowlers looking to make their mark. His mentorship has been crucial in grooming upcoming talents, ensuring that MI continues to produce world-class bowlers. With years of cricket still ahead of him, fans and cricketing experts alike eagerly anticipate many more match-winning performances from Bumrah in the IPL and beyond.
His career IPL statistics are a testament to his dominance:
- Matches Played: 133
- Wickets Taken: 165
- Best Bowling Figures: 5/10
- Economy Rate: 7.39
Bumrah is one of only four bowlers in IPL history to have taken two five-wicket hauls. His ability to strike at crucial moments, especially in high-pressure games, has made him MI’s go-to bowler in crunch situations.
Can Mumbai Indians Cope Without Their Star Bowler?
With no official confirmation on Bumrah’s return, Mumbai Indians will have to find a way to perform without him for at least a few more matches. Captain Hardik Pandya and head coach Mark Boucher will need to strategize carefully, possibly giving more responsibility to experienced pacers like Boult while allowing youngsters to step up.
One potential solution could be making better use of Mitchell Santner, whose spin bowling can be effective on slower surfaces. Additionally, Mumbai Indians might consider tweaking their pace attack by bringing in another experienced seamer if Bumrah’s absence extends further into the season.
Despite their early setbacks, MI has a history of bouncing back from difficult situations in the IPL. However, their bowling attack will need to show significant improvement if they hope to turn things around in the coming matches.
As fans eagerly await Bumrah’s return, the Mumbai Indians’ camp will remain hopeful that their ace pacer can make a comeback sooner rather than later. With IPL 2025 still in its early stages, there’s enough time for MI to recover and re-establish themselves as strong contenders, but much will depend on how they manage their bowling resources in the absence of their premier fast bowler.
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