Mumbai Indians (MI) have received a significant boost ahead of the 2025 IPL season, with star 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 development comes just days before MI’s opening match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday. According to a report from Cricbuzz, Bumrah has made his second visit to the NCA within a week to evaluate his fitness levels and seek clearance to participate in the upcoming IPL.
Bumrah’s return to the NCA is a critical step in his bid to recover fully from injury and make his IPL comeback. While the pacer is expected to be ready for action as early as next week, he is likely to miss Mumbai’s first two matches. The BCCI’s medical team will assess his condition based on his performance during this visit, with a final decision regarding his participation yet to be made. If Bumrah feels no discomfort while bowling, he could be cleared to return to the IPL. However, sources suggest it will take at least another week for him to reach full fitness.
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene acknowledged the challenge of playing without Bumrah, describing his absence as a “massive challenge” for the team. He emphasized that the pace spearhead’s return is dependent on daily assessments and expressed confidence in Bumrah’s spirits. Jayawardene also mentioned that MI would explore alternatives and test new strategies during the early stages of the season to cover for Bumrah’s absence.
As MI strives for a record-extending sixth IPL title, Bumrah’s return could play a pivotal role in their campaign. For more updates on MI’s IPL journey and expert betting tips, follow Cricket Betting Tips.
