Mahela Jayawardene announces Jasprit Bumrah's inclusion in MI playing XI vs RCB

Mumbai Indians have received a massive boost ahead of their next IPL 2025 clash, as head coach Mahela Jayawardene has confirmed that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is fit and available for selection. Jasprit Bumrah joined the Mumbai Indians squad on Saturday, April 5, after getting the green light from BCCI’s medical team, ending all speculation about his fitness.

Bumrah will be back in action from MI’s next game in the ongoing IPL 2025. Jayawardene has confirmed that Bumrah will turn up for the Mumbai Indians in their next IPL 2025 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 7 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Fit again Jasprit Bumrah rejoins Mumbai Indians squad ahead of the RCB clash

His return will only bolster MI’s bowling attack as they aim to bounce back after a crushing loss to Lucknow Super Giants in their previous game in the tournament. The MI head coach has confirmed that Bumrah joined the team on Saturday (April 5) night after completing his sessions at the Centre of Excellence of BCCI and is now under the team’s physio team.

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Jayawardene also revealed that Bumrah has already started bowling at the nets. Notably, Bumrah has been out of action since the Sydney Test in early January due to a back injury. He missed both the England series at home and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to his recovery.

Jasprit Bumrah should be available for the RCB game: Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “He's available, he's training today, and should be available [for the RCB game]. He arrived last night; he had his sessions with NCA [now Centre of Excellence] to finalize that; he's been handed over to our physios. He's bowling today, so all good.”

Singing 🎶 "Naaaaaaant's Ingonyama Bagithi Baba!" 🎶 in the background 🦁#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/g9aVsorOhj

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 6, 2025

Bumrah is returning after a long break, so MI wants to ease him in without pressure. And Jayawardene said that the Indian speedster’s experience and guidance will be a big boost for the younger bowlers like Vignesh Puthur, Ashwani Kumar, and Satyanarayana Raju.

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We're very happy to have him in the camp: MI coach welcomes Jasprit Bumrah

The MI coach added, “Boom's coming back from a pretty decent layoff, so we need to give him that space. Do 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.”

Notably, Jasprit Bumrah has played for Mumbai Indians since 2013, taking 165 wickets in 133 IPL matches. He missed only one season, in 2023, due to a back injury — his first since undergoing back surgery in March that year. On the other hand, MI has been struggling to deliver in this season so far.

The Hardik Pandya-led MI has so far won just one game while losing three games, and they are currently ranked 8th in the IPL 2025 points table. However, the MI would now be eager to turn their fortune in their next game at Wankhede Stadium on Monday.