The Mumbai Indians (MI) have announced India and Kerala medium pacer Sandeep Warrier as their replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah for IPL 2023. This comes on the day, March 31, 2023, when the IPL 16 will get underway.
Mumbai Indians will face off against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 2 in Bengaluru and they will be without Jasprit Bumrah, who had been ruled out due to his back issues.
31-year-old Sandeep Warrier is a veteran of Indian domestic cricket having played 66 FC, 69 List A, and 68 T20 matches. He has been part of the Indian Premier League as well, turning out for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the past.
“Sandeep Warrier, right arm fast bowler will join the Mumbai Indians squad as a replacement player for Jasprit Bumrah,” Mumbai Indians said in a press statement.
He has also played one T20I for India against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2021. He has 62 wickets in 68 T20 matches at an economy of 7.20 and the best bowling of 3/19. Warrier will join the Mumbai Indians squad ahead of their IPL 2023 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Jasprit Bumrah Recovering After Undergoing Back Surgery With ODI World Cup 2023 In Sights
Jasprit Bumrah had suffered a back injury in July last year on a tour of England and despite making a small comeback in September last year in T20Is, he was uncomfortable with a stress reaction to his back injury. This led to him missing the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2022.
Finally, with rehab not working, BCCI and Bumrah came to terms with and decided to undergo surgery, which happened in New Zealand by Dr Rowan Schouten, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the management of adult spinal conditions and hip replacement surgery.
While Bumrah is still recovering, it is expected that the pacer will most likely be ready for the ODI World Cup 2023 to be played in India. India will already be without Rishabh Pant in the ICC event, as the keeper recovers from injuries sustained in a near-fatal accident in December last year.
The seasoned pacer has played 30 Tests, 72 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for Team India. Pace ace Bumrah made his international debut against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in 2016.