Jasprit Bumrah received the clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bangalore to play in the IPL on Saturday. Accordingly, he joined the Mumbai Indians squad. On Sunday morning, the franchise put out a video on social media, confirming the return of their most prized possession. Just hours later, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed that the fast bowler would play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede on Monday.
Things moved quickly, but is this borderline desperation from MI? The question has to be asked. Bumrah hasn’t played since the Sydney Test in January, doing rehab after facing a stress-related issue in his lower back. Usually, a fast bowler is given time to build his load after coming back from a lengthy injury lay-off. Only recently, the Indian team did that with Mohammed Shami, gradually ushering him in during the white-ball series against England that preceded the Champions Trophy. But a struggling MI have decided to straightaway include Bumrah in their playing XI (or XII) on the heels of three loses in their first four matches in the ongoing IPL.
During the IPL, the franchises have control over their players. But in Bumrah’s case, it has to be in conjunction with the BCCI’s medical team. In fact, this year, with a five-Test series in England to be played from June, the BCCI, according to sources, has decided to monitor the workload of all the players – fast bowlers in particular – who are in the reckoning for the England tour. Of course, the franchises are being kept in the loop. Bumrah would be the first name on the Indian team sheet.
From that perspective, MI must have got the go-ahead from the BCCI as regards playing Bumrah in Monday’s game. Also, it can’t happen without the player’s consent.
“He (Bumrah) is available, he is training today and should be available (for the RCB game),” Jayawardene said at the pre-match press conference. “He arrived last night. He had his sessions with NCA (Centre of Excellence) to finalise that, he has been handed over to our physios. He is bowling today, so all good.”
MI are in desperate search for a win to arrest the slide. But even for a player of Bumrah’s calibre, it is not easy to come back from an injury hiatus and start performing miracles. However, his very presence could be morale-boosting for his side.
“Boom is coming back from a pretty decent lay-off, so we need to give him that space,” said Jayawardene. “Not expect too much. Knowing Jasprit, he will be up for it. We are very happy to have him in the camp, the experience he brings, that extra voice out there in the middle…”
Bumrah was building his bowling workload at the Centre of Excellence. But there is no substitute for game time. Then again, it would be imperative for MI and the BCCI to ensure that Indian cricket’s most valuable player is not stretched. As former MI bowling coach Shane Bond has opined, another injury in the same spot could be career-ending.