Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Jasprit Bumrah’s potential unavailability as the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) concern before IPL 2025. He added that it’s virtually impossible to get a like-for-like replacement for Bumrah as well. MI retained Bumrah for ₹18 crore before the IPL 2025 auction. Reports also suggest that the unconventional seamer might miss the initial part of the
IPL as he has not yet recovered from the back injury he sustained in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “Is there any concern? One is what about Jasprit Bumrah’s injury? It seems like Bumrah might not be available at the start, and if he isn’t available, there is no one like Bumrah. No matter what options you have, it’s not going to work. It’s impossible to get a replacement for Bumrah. So this could be a cause for great concern. Then you will have to change your balance. With Bumrah, you can play a very good team despite playing both Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks. You can keep (Trent) Boult and (Mitchell) Santner, and you would be fine.”

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However, Aakash Chopra added that the Mumbai Indians would have to include either Reece Topley or Corbin Bosch in their playing XI if
Jasprit Bumrah isn’t available as well.

“However, if Bumrah is not available, you will have to add an overseas fast bowler. You will have to play either Reece Topley or Corbin Bosch. If you do that, you will have to remove either Ryan Rickelton or Will Jacks from the top, and get Robin Minz in the middle. The entire scenario changes due to one guy going out because firstly, there is no one like Jassi, and secondly, he is an Indian. You have to make two changes to replace an Indian. That’s a big one. One player goes out and you have to make a minimum of two changes,” Aakash Chopra concluded.