Jasprit Bumrah's absence will be a big challenge for MI: Mahela Jayawardene

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene has admitted that Jasrit Bumrah's absence will be a big challenge for his side early on in the season. Bumrah is still recovering from the back injury he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In Short

• Bumrah will miss atleast the first 3 games for MI
• Jayawardene said Bumrah's progress is on a day-to-day basis
• MI will begin their campaign against CSK on March 23

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene has admitted it will be a big challenge for the team as they will miss Jasprit Bumrah in the early part of the season. Bumrah is still recovering from a back injury he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The issue forced the star pacer to miss India's Champions Trophy campaign.

Bumrah is currently regaining his fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and is tipped to miss at least the first 3 matches of the season. Speaking at the pre-season press conference. Jayawardene said that the star pacer had started to make progress in his recovery but it is currently on a day-to-day basis.

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Jayawardene said that Bumrah is in good spirits.

Jasprit, at the moment, is with NCA. He's just started that progress so we have to wait and see what their feedback is on him. At the moment, everything's going well, but, obviously, it's on a day-to-day basis. He's in good spirits and hopefully he can join the team sooner.

'Bumrah absence a chance for someone else'

Jayawardene hailed Bumrah as one of the best bowlers in the world and said MI will have to find a way to play the first few games without him in the lineup. The MI coach said that it is also a chance for someone else to step up and show their skills.

"Obviously, not having him is a challenge. He's one of the best bowlers in the world, and he's been a fantastic pro for us for many years, but we'll have to find a way. It's an opportunity for someone else also to step up and show what they're capable of. That's how I see it. It gives us a different element of trying a few different things and seeing what works, and it's always good early on for us to do that," said Jayawardene.

Mumbai Indians will start their IPL 2025 campaign against the Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on March 23.