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Jasprit Bumrah, the ace Indian fast bowler, is poised to rejoin the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp within the next two days after receiving fitness clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE). Bumrah has been sidelined since January due to a lower back injury sustained during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney.
Bumrah's Anticipated Return to Mumbai Indians
Sources indicate that Bumrah will link up with the MI squad ahead of their upcoming fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, he is unlikely to feature in the match scheduled for Monday, 7 April, at the Wankhede Stadium. The CoE has granted him medical clearance, but the MI management plans to monitor him closely during match simulations before deeming him match-fit. Consequently, Bumrah is expected to be available for the away fixture on 13 April against Delhi Capitals.
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Mumbai Indians' Struggles in Bumrah's Absence
In Bumrah's absence, MI has faced challenges in the current IPL season, losing three of their first four matches. Notably, they conceded 203 runs to Lucknow Super Giants at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium, falling short by 12 runs despite Hardik Pandya's all-round performance.
Expert Opinions on Bumrah's Workload Management
Former New Zealand fast bowler and ex-MI bowling coach Shane Bond has expressed concerns regarding Bumrah's workload management, especially with the upcoming five-Test series in England. Bond emphasized the importance of not overburdening Bumrah, stating, "You can't have him bowl that many overs again in a Test match. Forty-five might be the top, and we can't risk it because he's too valuable."
Balancing IPL Participation and National Duties
The MI management faces a delicate task in balancing Bumrah's participation in the IPL with his readiness for national duties. Given his pivotal role in India's bowling attack, ensuring his fitness for the England series is paramount. The decision to reintroduce him into competitive cricket will be made with caution, prioritizing his long-term health and performance.
