In what comes as a massive blow to Mumbai Indians (MI), ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah might miss the first few matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.

Bumrah has been out of competitive action since the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney, where he sustained a back injury. The right-arm quick was also ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy as he failed to recover in time.

Now, a report published in TOI claims that Bumrah is unlikely to be match fit before the IPL 2025 and could miss out on two weeks of action.

“Bumrah's medical reports are okay. He has resumed bowling at the CoE. However, it is unlikely he'll be able to bowl at the start of the IPL in another fortnight. As per current status, the first week of April looks a more realistic date for him to get back to high-intensity cricket,” a BCCI source told the newspaper.

The source revealed that Bumrah has not yet begun bowling at full intensity and will gradually increase the workload under the supervision of the medical team.

“It’s standard operating procedure. The medical team will gradually build up his workload and intensity. Unless he is able to bowl full tilt without any discomfort for some days, the medical team is unlikely to clear him,” the source added.

Mumbai Indians are slated to play as many as four games in the first two weeks and Bumrah’s absence could prove to be a big setback. The five-time champions have struggled in the last few years and need a good start to turn things around.

Meanwhile, the source stated that BCCI don't want to push Jasprit Bumrah as they want him and Mohammad Shami fully fit for the five-Test tour of England following the IPL.

“How Shami and Bumrah endure the long IPL will be important. Shami is under constant watch. If the selectors get both of them together for two-three Tests, it will be the ideal situation. The team management will also be cautious of pushing the duo to play all Tests together. Nobody wants either of them breaking down in the middle of a Test, like it happened with Bumrah in Sydney. Too much depended on Bumrah alone in Australia,” the source said.

(With TOI Inputs)