Bumrah closes in on comeback to competitive cricket

Bumrah has been out of action since the Sydney Test in January earlier this year due to a lower back issue that he picked up during the game and has subsequently missed out on India’s home assignment against England as well as the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.

He also missed out on the start of this year’s IPL, but has now joined the Mumbai Indians squad as confirmed by Head Coach, Mahela Jayawardena on Sunday.

"He's available, he's training today, and should be available [for match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday]," Jayawardena said.

"He arrived last night, he had his sessions with NCA [Centre of Excellence], he's been handed over to our physios. He's bowling today, so all good."

The 31-year-old had been building his bowling workload at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru prior to joining his franchise as he recovered from his back injury sustained at the Border-Gavaskar trophy earlier this year.

Following the IPL, India will tour England for a five-game Test series. Bumrah was in sensational form when he last featured for India, picking 32 wickets from five Tests Down Under, at an average of 13.06.