The countdown for IPL 2025 has begun, with the tournament set to kick off on February 22 (Saturday). While Mumbai Indians (MI) enter the competition as one of the strongest teams on paper, boasting a star-studded lineup, they have been dealt a major blow ahead of the season opener.

Their pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, is set to miss the initial phase of the tournament due to an injury setback, leaving a significant void in MI’s bowling attack.

Bumrah’s Injury Update: A Big Miss for MI

According to ESPN Cricinfo, Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering from the back injury he sustained in January and is unlikely to feature in Mumbai Indians’ matches in March. His return will depend on clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with early April being the targeted comeback window.

For MI, Bumrah’s absence is a major concern, as he has been the backbone of their bowling attack for years. His ability to bowl fiery spells in the powerplay and deliver match-winning performances at the death has made him an indispensable asset to the team.

Which Matches Will Bumrah Miss?

As per reports, Bumrah might miss all of MI’s matches in March, which include three crucial encounters:

March 23 – vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (Away)
March 29 – vs Gujarat Titans (GT) (Home)
March 31 – vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) (Home)

Potential Return: If cleared by the BCCI medical team, Bumrah could make his return on April 4 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

When Did Jasprit Bumrah Suffer the Injury?

Bumrah sustained a lower back injury during the fifth Test between India and Australia in Sydney. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

His injury ruled him out of the Champions Trophy 2025, a tournament where his presence would have been crucial for India. The Indian team management, as well as the MI franchise, are closely monitoring his recovery process, ensuring he returns fully fit rather than rushing back prematurely.

No Hardik Pandya vs CSK: A Double Blow for MI

To add to MI’s woes, they will also miss their captain Hardik Pandya in their opening match against Chennai Super Kings on March 23.

Why is Hardik Pandya missing the opener?

• During IPL 2024, Pandya accumulated three over-rate offences, with the final one occurring in MI’s last game of the season.
• As per IPL regulations, this led to a one-match suspension, which will be served in MI’s first match of IPL 2025 against CSK.

How Will MI Cope Without Their Two Superstars?

Losing both Bumrah and Pandya for the tournament opener is a massive setback for MI. Without their captain and ace bowler, they will need others to step up.

Bowling Department:

• Jofra Archer and Jason Behrendorff will have to lead the pace attack in Bumrah’s absence.
• Piyush Chawla and Shams Mulani will be expected to handle the spin department.

Captaincy Role:

• With Hardik Pandya suspended for one match, Suryakumar Yadav is likely to lead MI against CSK in the opening game.

MI’s Early Challenges in IPL 2025

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya presents a huge challenge for Mumbai Indians, especially in their season opener against arch-rivals CSK. However, MI has a history of overcoming adversity and still possesses a squad filled with match-winners.

Their biggest test will be how they manage the first few matches without their two biggest stars. If MI can hold their ground early in the tournament, they could still emerge as strong contenders for the IPL 2025 title once Bumrah and Pandya return.

Will Mumbai Indians be able to survive the early setbacks and maintain their dominance in the IPL? Fans will have their eyes glued to the action as IPL 2025 unfolds!