Mumbai Indians (MI) have got a big boost as Jasprit Bumrah reached Mumbai on Friday (March 27) evening and went straight to the team hotel. Jasprit Bumrah has been MI’s X-factor, and his return has brought huge energy to the camp for IPL 2026.
The five-time champions will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, March 29.
Jasprit Bumrah joins Mumbai Indians camp ahead of IPL 2026
Jasprit Bumrah has already joined the Mumbai Indians squad on Friday, and is almost confirmed to play in his team’s 2026 season opener against KKR at the Wankhede Stadium, Cricbuzz reported.
Also read: Rohit Sharma lost his cool! Car hit, fans ignored in shocking moment ahead of IPL 2026
Bumrah was in the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru for the last five days, but it is being said that there was no possibility of injury. It was just a general fitness check where his workload was being tracked after India’s victorious T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
The top Indian fast bowler bowled with full force during these sessions and proved that he is strong enough to take charge of the MI bowling attack again in the world’s biggest T20 league.
His return came at the right time, as last season Mumbai Indians had started without him in four matches, which had cost them a lot. They lost three of those four games, which showed how much of a difference Bumrah can make.
When Jasprit Bumrah broke Lasith Malinga’s record
Last year, Bumrah achieved a big milestone for Mumbai Indians in the last season. He went ahead of Lasith Malinga to become MI’s top wicket-taker in IPL history. Malinga had 170 wickets to his name, but Bumrah has now gone ahead with 183 wickets and he reached this milestone in just 145 matches.
He took these wickets at an average of around 22 and his economy rate was 7.24. Since his debut in 2013, Bumrah has played only for MI in the IPL. The Indian fast bowler also holds the unique record of being the only MI player to take five-wicket hauls twice in the IPL.
MI still waiting for 2 key players as they train under lights
Although Bumrah is back, two MI players are yet to join the camp. Mitchell Santner, who finished New Zealand’s T20 series against South Africa on March 25, is expected to reach India in a few days. However, Will Jacques will need more time to join Mumbai Indians due to personal work and is likely to join after a week.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and his team trained with full intensity under the Wankhede lights on Friday night. At the same time, Kolkata Knight Riders also practiced with almost their entire squad at the same venue as both the teams prepared for the high-voltage encounter.
However, KKR are also worried about Mathisha Pathirana, whose availability is still doubtful. The final training session of both MI and KKR teams will be held on Saturday, March 28.
Also Read: Mumbai Indians add Akash Madhwal for IPL 2026 amid suspense over Jasprit Bumrah’s availability
