Jasprit Bumrah’s absence was certainly felt in the Mumbai Indians (MI) playing XI as they opened their IPL 2025 campaign with a four-wicket defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday (March 23).
Bumrah has been out of competitive action since the fifth BGT Test against Australia in Sydney, where he sustained a lower back injury. The fast bowler didn’t feature in India’s triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 campaign as he failed to recover in time.
Earlier, it was reported that Bumrah will miss the initial few matches of the IPL 2025 season but now it seems that MI are still unsure about his expected return to the tournament.
MI’s assistant coach Paras Mhambrey addressed the query on Bumrah’s return after the team’s defeat to CSK. His response suggested that the comeback could take some time.
“He is doing well. I thought whatever information we got from the NCA, we are happy with his progress,” Mhambrey said in the post-match presser.
“But I won't dwell into the time frame right now. I would leave it to the upper management team, who are coordinating with the NCA guys. They are pretty happy. Fingers crossed, so I definitely would want him. He is a big part of Mumbai Indians, a success for many years.
“I would definitely want him in the team. We are happy with the progress and we will just see how it goes,” he further added.
Coming to the match, MI posted a modest 155/9 on the board after being asked to bat first. It was a disappointing performance with the bat as no one managed to touch the 30-run mark. Stand-in Suryakumar Yadav was the top scorer with 29 while Deepak Chahar played a cameo of 28* in the death overs.
In reply, CSK overhauled the target in 19.1 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja (65* off 45) and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (53 off 26).
Debutant Vignesh Puthur’s performance with the ball was the only silver lining for MI. The left-arm wrist-spinner took three wickets by conceding 32 runs in his four overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda were his victims.
