Ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League 2026, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly checked into the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of a structured workload management programme.
Bumrah’s stint at the facility is focused on strength and conditioning, with the programme designed by the BCCI’s medical team keeping India’s upcoming white-ball tour of England in July as a key priority. The tour will feature five T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
The premier fast bowler is understood to have continued bowling during his time at the facility and is expected to link up with his IPL franchise, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, shortly. According to reports, he is likely to be available for their IPL 2026 opener against the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29.
Bumrah was the standout performer for India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, where he delivered a match-winning four-wicket haul to help India defend their title and clinch a second consecutive crown. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament alongside Varun Chakaravarthy and was named Player of the Match for his performance in the final against New Zealand.
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, becoming the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title and the first to win the tournament on home soil.
A mainstay for the Mumbai Indians since his IPL debut, Bumrah has taken 186 wickets in 148 matches and is closing in on the franchise record held by Lasith Malinga. He is just nine wickets away from becoming MI’s all-time leading wicket-taker.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have begun their preparations at the Wankhede Stadium as they aim to secure a record sixth IPL title. The franchise last lifted the trophy in 2020 and is currently enduring its longest title drought since its maiden triumph in 2013.