“He's training today and should be available."
India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will return to competitive cricket in the Indian Premier League after three months out injured.
The 31-year-old injured his back during the fifth Test against Australia in January 2025.
The injury forced him out of the remainder of the match, where Australia sealed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.
Bumrah was subsequently out of India’s white-ball series against England and the 2025 Champions Trophy, which India won.
Following medical advice, Bumrah was required to take a five-week rest before beginning his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
His progress was closely monitored, but there was official confirmation on whether the National Cricket Academy (NCA) had cleared him to play competitive cricket again.
However, Jasprit Bumrah confirmed that he has been cleared to play again.
He told Trent Boult: “Finally got the clearance.”
Bumrah is now expected to feature for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 7.
Mumbai coach Mahela Jayawardene said: “He’s training today and should be available.
“He arrived last night. He had his sessions with NCA [India’s National Cricket Academy] to finalise that.
“He’s been handed over to our physios. He’s bowling today, so all good.”
Bumrah was given a warm welcome by his teammates, with batting coach Kieron Pollard hoisting him into the air with the words: “Welcome, Mufasa.”
His return will be a boost for Mumbai Indians, who have lost three of its first four matches in the 2025 IPL.
Bumrah provides much-needed experience in the bowling lineup, which includes Vignesh Puthur, Ashwani Kumar and Satyanarayana Raju.
Bumrah was MI’s leading wicket-taker in the 2024 IPL with 20 dismissals, the third most in the season.
Jasprit is currently the world’s top-ranked Test bowler and will likely be vital for India’s upcoming five-Test series in England.
That series starts on June 20 and is expected to be one of the biggest of the year.
Jayawardene added: “Boom’s coming back from a pretty decent lay-off, so we need to give him that space. Not expect too much.
“Knowing Jasprit, he will be up for it.”
The only previous IPL season Bumrah missed was in 2023, when a serious back injury had ruled him out of the entire campaign, requiring surgery.
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