MI bowler Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection for the Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru clash, confirmed coach Mahela Jayawardene on Sunday. The 31-year-old pacer had joined the MI camp on Sunday and will most likely make the playing XI too, with MI having lost three out of their four matches so far in the competition.
“He’s available, he’s training today, and should be available [for RCB game],” Jayawardene said. “He had his sessions with NCA [now Centre of Excellence] to finalise that, he’s been handed over to our physios. He’s bowling today, so all good.”
Jasprit Bumrah is returning to the side after a long four-month long injury layoff, that resulted him in missing the Champions Trophy too, and then four crucial matches for MI. As a result, they are languishing in the bottom half of the IPL 2025 points table, raising worries for skipper Hardik Pandya.
“Boom’s coming back from a pretty decent layoff, so we need to give him that space,” Jayawardene said. “Not expect too much. Knowing Jasprit he will be up for it. We’re very happy to have him in the camp, the experience he brings, that extra voice out there in the middle, chatting with Boulty, chatting with Deepak or any other younger bowler, giving that advice is also very valuable for us. That’s what we’re looking forward to from him.”
Much to the surprise of everyone, Pandya himself has been the team’s best pacer so far, where he has bagged eight wickets in three matches, while Ashwani Kumar, Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar have blown hot and cold in IPL 2025. His presence would certainly bolster their chances of posting another win.
But the concerning part could be, whether he is match ready or not. And whether the team would want to risk him at this stage. Post the IPL 2025, India straightaway begin their Test series in England, from June 20, and he would be a must in the line up. With uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s presence for the series, he could once again lead the side, just like in Australia.
Predicted MI XI vs RCB
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Hardik Pandya (C), Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Vignesh Puthur, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar.
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