Jasprit Bumrah cleared to rejoin Mumbai Indians ahead of RCB clash in IPL 2025

Jasprit Bumrah has officially rejoined the Mumbai Indians squad after receiving medical clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His return comes ahead of a pivotal Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium. After being sidelined since January due to a lower back injury, Bumrah’s availability is expected to significantly bolster a struggling Mumbai Indians side, which has only registered a single win so far in the season. His return to competitive cricket marks one of the most anticipated comebacks of the IPL season and could be a decisive moment for Mumbai’s campaign.

What led to Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from competitive cricket since January 2025?

Jasprit Bumrah’s injury woes have been a recurring challenge for both the Indian national team and the Mumbai Indians franchise. The right-arm fast bowler suffered a lower back stress injury during India’s Test match against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. That injury forced him out of action during the home season, prompting the BCCI to send him to its National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a structured rehabilitation program.

This isn’t Bumrah’s first encounter with back issues. In 2019, he missed much of India’s cricketing calendar due to a similar injury, raising concerns about his long-term workload management. Over the years, the BCCI has taken a conservative approach with Bumrah, often prioritizing his fitness over immediate match returns. Given his value to the national side, especially in ICC tournaments, every effort is made to ensure he doesn’t return until fully fit. His re-clearance in April was the result of a meticulous rehab protocol, involving strengthening, simulation-based training, and bowling workload monitoring.

How critical is Bumrah’s return for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025?

Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions, have struggled to find rhythm in the 2025 edition of the tournament. Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, who replaced Rohit Sharma as captain, the team has failed to create the dominant aura of previous seasons. With only one win from their first four matches, questions have been raised about their bowling attack’s effectiveness and strategic depth.

Bumrah’s return could not be timelier. Known for his death-over mastery, awkward angles, and unorthodox action, the fast bowler brings a sense of control and intimidation that few in world cricket can match. He has picked up 165 wickets in 133 IPL matches and has often been Mumbai’s go-to bowler in pressure situations. His reintegration into the squad is likely to stabilise the bowling unit and ease the burden on new and relatively untested names like Satyanarayana Raju, Ashwani Kumar, and Vignesh Puthur.

Moreover, Bumrah’s presence allows Mumbai Indians to restructure their bowling combinations. His pairing with overseas spearhead Trent Boult, alongside Indian pacer Deepak Chahar, could give Mumbai the pace attack balance it has sorely missed this season. His leadership and tactical acumen on the field also offer intangible value, especially when guiding younger bowlers.

Is Bumrah expected to play immediately against Royal Challengers Bengaluru?

While Bumrah has joined the squad and is training with the team, insiders suggest that Mumbai Indians may not rush him into action against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Given the length of his injury layoff and the demands of T20 cricket, the franchise might prefer to gradually reintegrate him into match play. The BCCI has also made it clear in recent years that players returning from injury should not be overloaded too quickly, particularly with the ICC Champions Trophy on the horizon later in the year.

Still, his inclusion in the playing XI—even as an impact player or for a brief spell—would be a major psychological boost for the Mumbai camp. Facing a high-profile opponent like RCB, who are also fighting to build momentum, Mumbai may choose to field their best available squad, including a match-fit Bumrah, if he proves ready during training sessions.

What’s at stake for Mumbai Indians and RCB in this match?

The Mumbai Indians versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru match has evolved into one of IPL’s most commercially and emotionally charged contests. With both franchises among the most followed in the league and carrying loyal fanbases, clashes between the two are always high-octane affairs.

For Mumbai Indians, this fixture could define the trajectory of their 2025 campaign. A loss would leave them deeper in the lower half of the table, while a win could rejuvenate their playoff hopes. For RCB, the stakes are equally high. With Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli continuing to be key contributors, RCB are pushing to convert promise into performance. A loss against a struggling Mumbai side—even one with Bumrah—could amplify scrutiny around their own squad balance and execution.

How does Bumrah’s return impact India’s broader cricketing calendar?

Bumrah’s clearance by the BCCI also bodes well for India’s broader cricketing objectives in 2025. The pacer has been earmarked as a central figure for the national side’s Champions Trophy and World Test Championship campaigns. His absence over the past few months had created uncertainty about India’s bowling firepower, especially with senior players like Mohammed Shami also managing intermittent injuries.

By returning to the IPL—a platform that replicates the high-pressure environment of international white-ball cricket—Bumrah can recondition himself for top-tier cricket. His workload during the league is expected to be closely monitored by the BCCI, in consultation with the Mumbai Indians’ medical and coaching staff. His ability to remain fit through the IPL will be a crucial indicator of his readiness for the international calendar.

Why does Jasprit Bumrah remain irreplaceable in modern T20 cricket?

Jasprit Bumrah’s value in T20 cricket cannot be overstated. Few bowlers possess his combination of pace, accuracy, variety, and mental fortitude. Whether it’s delivering a toe-crushing yorker in the final over or bowling with the new ball in the powerplay, Bumrah consistently rises to the occasion.

He holds one of the best economy rates among fast bowlers in IPL history and frequently features among the league’s top wicket-takers. His uncanny ability to read a batsman’s intent and adapt mid-delivery is what makes him so lethal. At a time when bat dominates ball in T20 cricket, Bumrah remains a rare force who can dictate terms even on flat batting pitches.

For Mumbai Indians, his return doesn’t just bring back a bowler—it restores a match-winner and a cultural cornerstone of the franchise.

Can Bumrah’s return spark a Mumbai Indians turnaround in IPL 2025?

As Mumbai Indians prepare to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Jasprit Bumrah’s return is poised to shift the momentum both on and off the field. For a franchise steeped in legacy and expectation, having its most reliable bowler back in the fold could be the ignition point they’ve needed. Whether or not he takes the field immediately, his mere presence is enough to lift spirits in the dressing room and send a clear message to opponents: Mumbai Indians are not done yet.

The remainder of IPL 2025 will test the resilience, depth, and strategy of the franchise, and Bumrah’s role in that journey could very well determine how the team’s campaign is remembered.