There's a big buzz in the air as Jasprit Bumrah, one of cricket's most feared bowlers, is all set to make his comeback for the Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 encounter against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7. After being sidelined due to a stress reaction in his lower back, sustained during India's challenging Test series Down Under, Bumrah's return to the field is highly anticipated.
Mumbai Indians' head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, has affirmed Bumrah's fitness following a thorough rehabilitation process. He was cleared by the medical wizards at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and joined the squad just hours before the big match. On April 6, Bumrah was already on the field, bowling with his trademark intensity during the practice sessions at Wankhede Stadium. Pitted against stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, Bumrah seemed in fine form, much to the delight of his teammates and fans.
Despite the excitement surrounding his return, the team management is planning to manage Bumrah's workload carefully. There's talk of utilizing him as an Impact Player if Mumbai bats first, allowing him to shine when his powerhouse deliveries might matter most. This strategy comes as the MI bowling lineup has been under pressure in his absence, relying on less experienced Indian pacers such as Ashwani Kumar and Satyanarayana Raju, who have held the fort quite commendably yet miss the veteran's firepower.
Opponents React to Bumrah's Return
Meanwhile, on the opposition side, RCB's Tim David is very much aware of the challenge that an in-form Bumrah poses. Echoing the general sentiment, he doesn’t mince his words when he calls Bumrah arguably the best bowler globally right now. RCB's strategy possibly involves their own power-packed line-up with Phil Salt and the ever-reliable Virat Kohli tackling Bumrah head-on to set the tone from the very start. However, the aura of Bumrah's lethal yorkers leaves even the most experienced batsmen a bit on edge.
But it’s not just about the game on April 7. Bumrah's careful comeback is also a precursor to regaining his top form ahead of more significant challenges, notably India's Test series in England later this year. Missing the 2023 IPL season entirely due to surgery and recovery, he’s likely looking to balance both club and country commitments gingerly.
For MI, currently languishing at eighth in the table with a single win from their first four games, having Bumrah back could be the turning point they desperately need. His presence not only steadies the ship but also injects a much-needed dose of experience and skill into their bowling arsenal. How this unfolds on the grand stage of the IPL will be captivating for fans and analysts alike.
