Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

Jasprit Bumrah is back and available for selection for Mumbai Indians’ (MI) clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Monday April 7. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Bumrah received clearance from the BCCI’s centre of excellence following a back injury sustained in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January.

“He’s available, he’s training today, and should be available [for the RCB game],” said MI coach Mahela Jayawardene, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“He arrived last night, he had his sessions with NCA [National Cricket Academy, now Centre of Excellence] to finalise that, he’s been handed over to our physios. He’s bowling today, so all good.”

Jasprit Bumrah a chance of playing against RCB, but coach Mahela Jayawardene remains cautious

Bumrah joined the squad on Saturday, and the official MI account posted a video of the champion fast bowler with the group at the Wankhede Stadium.

Bumrah is every chance of playing against RCB in a crucial match for MI given they have lost three of their first four matches in IPL2025. However, coach Jayawardene says Bumrah needs to be given the space to ease back into proceedings after a lengthy injury layoff.

“Boom’s coming back from a pretty decent layoff, so we need to give him that space, not expect too much” Jayawardene said. “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 [Trent Boult], chatting with Deepak [Chahar] or any other younger bowler, giving that advice is also very valuable for us. That’s what we’re looking forward to from him.”

While expecting an immediate impact from Bumrah may be somewhat unfair, he is certainly capable of producing a matchwinning performance given his abundant talent. The fast bowler has taken 29 wickets in 19 matches against RCB, and his battle with Virat Kohli (95 deliveries, 140 runs, five wickets) will have eyeballs glued to screens throughout the world.

MI have won their past two matches against RCB. Victory at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday can lift them from eighth to as high as the top four.