Bumrah’s Absence: How MI Plans to Tackle CSK Without Their Ace in IPL 2025 Opener

I’ve been tracking the IPL for over a decade, and Mumbai Indians without Jasprit Bumrah feels like a blockbuster missing its star. As MI prepare to take on Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 opener on March 23 at Chepauk, the news of Bumrah’s absence due to a lingering back issue has rattled the squad. Here at IPLPulseFantasyCricketDugout, let’s break down how MI might navigate this challenge and what it means for your fantasy picks.

Bumrah’s been sidelined since January 2025, nursing a stress-related back injury from the Sydney Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sources close to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where he’s rehabbing under outgoing BCCI Sports Science chief Nitin Patel, suggest he might get clearance by late March. That puts his availability for MI’s first two away games—against CSK on March 23 and Gujarat Titans on March 29—in doubt. His return could align with MI’s first home game against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 31, but don’t bank on it. This isn’t Bumrah’s first rodeo with this injury—he had surgery for it in 2023—and with the England Test series looming in June, the BCCI isn’t rolling the dice on his recovery.

Without their ace, MI’s bowling unit faces a stern test. Hardik Pandya will likely turn to Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar to spearhead the attack. Boult’s early swing could unsettle CSK’s top order on a Chepauk track, but his death-over economy (9.5 in 2024) leaves gaps. Chahar, a former CSK man, brings local know-how and could exploit early movement, though he’s no Bumrah in the clutch. Uncapped pacer Satyanarayana Raju might get a look-in for raw pace, while overseas options like Reece Topley remain iffy. Spin could be MI’s trump card—Mitchell Santner thrives on turning pitches, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman might step up to counter CSK’s spin-savvy batsmen.

Fantasy Strategy
Steer clear of MI bowlers for this one—without Bumrah, CSK’s lineup, led by Dhoni, could feast. Load up on MI batsmen instead: Rohit Sharma (9 credits) and Suryakumar Yadav (8.5 credits) are primed to exploit CSK’s pace attack. Hardik Pandya (9.5 credits) is a gamble as an all-rounder—he’ll bowl more, but that could backfire on a batting-friendly pitch.

Bumrah isn’t the only one in limbo. Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Avesh Khan (Lucknow SuperGiants) are also awaiting NCA clearance. Samson’s nearing a return from a finger injury, though his wicketkeeping green light is pending. LSG’s pace trio face their own battles—Mayank’s back stress, Avesh’s knee rehab, and Mohsin’s mysterious absence since December 2024—but they’re expected to be ready by their opener on March 24.

I’ll be glued to MI’s bowling —catch me on the IPL 2025 Pulse Tracker for real-time takes. How do you see MI holding up without Bumrah? Drop your thoughts below!