IPL 2025: Injury troubles loom over LSG's pace attack

The scenes ahead of IPL 2025 present a predicament for pacers in the tournament. With only a week left before the action kicks off, multiple teams are grappling with injury concerns. Just days before the start of the 16th edition of the IPL, reports surfaced that Mumbai Indians might be forced to begin their campaign without Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian pace spearhead sustained a back injury during the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Initially reported as a spasm, the injury ultimately ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy. Moreover, reports suggest that the seamer is set to miss the initial matches for MI in IPL 2025 to ensure a full recovery. However, the injury woes in the pace department appear to run even deeper for Lucknow Super Giants.

LSG's pace trio still awaiting clearance from NCA for IPL 2025

Lucknow Super Giants could be without their three main pacers in IPL 2025 if the NCA does not grant them fitness clearance. A few days ago, reports indicated that pacer Mayank Yadav would miss the initial phase of IPL 2025 due to injury. The seamer, who made his debut for India last year during the home series against Bangladesh, sustained an injury during the same tournament. A back stress injury suffered during the home tour has kept Mayank out of competitive play since October 2024. Months after the setback, Yadav is yet to receive clearance from the NCA for the upcoming IPL season.

LSG, meanwhile, would have been prepared to enter IPL 2025 without Mayank Yadav, but the latest developments have hit the camp hard. Their other primary pacers, Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan, are also awaiting clearance to participate in the season. The nature of Mohsin's injury remains unclear, with his last recorded appearance dating back to December last year during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The speedster has been a vital part of LSG’s bowling lineup.

Avesh Khan, meanwhile, is still recovering from a knee cartilage injury. The pacer has been undergoing rehabilitation since his last appearance in the Ranji Trophy in January this year. Despite these setbacks, LSG remain optimistic that at least two of their three injured pacers will receive clearance before their opening match against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam.

MI and RR camp face similar concerns for IPL 2025

The injury concerns ahead of IPL 2025 are not limited to the LSG camp. There is still no concrete timeline for Jasprit Bumrah’s return. After missing the England tour of India and the subsequent ICC Champions Trophy, IPL 2025 was expected to mark Bumrah’s comeback. However, the Mumbai Indians seamer is still dealing with his back injury, which has not fully subsided. Having already undergone surgery for a similar problem in early 2023, his recovery is being closely tracked by outgoing BCCI Sports Science chief Nitin Patel. While his return date to Mumbai Indians’ playing XI is yet to be confirmed, his participation remains under close scrutiny.

Mumbai Indians will open their IPL 2025 campaign on March 23 against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai, followed by an away fixture against Gujarat Titans on March 29 in Ahmedabad. Their first home match at Wankhede Stadium is scheduled for March 31 against Kolkata Knight Riders. While there is hope that Bumrah might be available for the home fixture, his participation is not guaranteed. He could join the MI camp earlier, but it seems unlikely that he will travel with the squad for the Chennai and Ahmedabad matches.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson is also working his way back from injury. The Rajasthan Royals skipper, who underwent surgery for a right index finger fracture sustained during the home T20I series against England, is nearing full recovery. While he has reportedly passed his fitness test for batting, he still requires clearance for wicketkeeping duties. Further assessments are expected in the coming days before a final decision is made. If he is unavailable at the start of the tournament, the Royals have Dhruv Jurel as a backup wicketkeeper. Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on March 23.