Mumbai Indians Approach IPL Legend to Replace Jasprit Bumrah


image-ley3r9ruJasprit Bumrah will miss the IPL 2023 (Twitter)

In major developments, the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have started their search to fill the mighty shoes of an injured Jasprit Bumrah. It is understood that the Rohit Sharma-led franchise has approached former Punjab Kings seamer, Sandeep Sharma, to be a part of their squad for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023).

The 29-year-old seamer, who didn’t get a fitness clearance from the NCA, has decided to fly to New Zealand and get his back operated. Interestingly, Bumrah will be treated by the same doctor who took care of the MI’s assistant coach - Shane Bond - during his tough times.

Bumrah has been out of action since October 2022 with a back stress fracture, of which he had to miss the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup last year. He will be missing the upcoming edition of the IPL, and his participation in the WTC Final will also be tough.

Reportedly, the pacer and India’s team management have decided to give their undivided attention to getting Bumrah fit for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which is slated to be played in India in October-November this year.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Sharma wasn’t picked in this season’s IPL Auction, when no one bid for the veteran seamer despite him having a delightful domestic season. 

In IPL, Sandeep has been a legend of all sorts as he has been a utility cricketer over the years. In 104 IPL matches, he has snapped 114 wickets at a spellbinding economy of 7.77 RPO with a strike rate of 20.33. 

Interestingly, Sandeep is the only pacer in the history of IPL to scalp wickets of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle is a single outing.