IPL 2023: Bumrah a national treasure, Mumbai Indians will listen if BCCI steps in - Aakash Chopra

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Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has reckoned that Jasprit Bumrah is a national treasure and that is why five-time champions Mumbai Indians will adhere to BCCI's request of resting him if he isn't totally fit.

Bumrah away from international cricket for almost five months now

The 29-year-old pacer has played only two matches after featuring in the Lord's ODI against England on July 14. The Ahmedabad-born cricketer was hopeful of featuring in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2022, however, he again faced stiffness in his back after playing two T20I matches against Australia in September.

Bumrah wasn't also named in the last two Tests and the upcoming three ODI matches against Australia. The Indian players directly feature in the IPL 2023 post the completion of the India series. There is 50-over World Cup this year and India are also well poised to feature in the final of World Test Championship (WTC) in June. Now the question has risen on whether Bumrah should be allowed to play in the IPL rather than allowing him more time to recuperate from his recurring back injury.

"You're an Indian player first and then you play for your franchise. So if Bumrah feels any discomfort, the BCCI will step in and tell the franchise that we are not going to release him. The world won't end if he doesn't play seven games with Jofra Archer.

"At the same time, when you're fit, you want to keep on playing as that only makes you better. So I definitely feel MI will pay heed to it if BCCI steps in because he is a national treasure and things aren't as difficult to manage as they seem to be at the moment," Chopra told Sportskeeda.

Further, the former opener opined that the express pacer could feature in Irani Trophy and county matches if fit. Notably, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja played a Ranji Trophy match first after recovering from his knee injury and then made a stellar comeback against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"If he is fit, he will go and play those games (Irani Trophy and County cricket). But the IPL is still a month away and we don't even know if he will play all games. The WTC final is three months away. So it's too early to say anything."