IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians suffer setback as key spinner ruled out for four months

Mumbai Indians suffered a major setback on Wednesday as Afghan spinner Allah Ghazanfar was ruled out of cricket for four months after suffering a lower back fracture. The spinner was picked by MI in the IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 4.8 crore.

Ghazanfar sustained the injury during Afghanistan's tour of Zimbabwe late last year, sidelining him for at least four months.



"AM Ghazanfar has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra (located in the lower back), specifically in the left pars interarticularis," the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) posted on 'X'.

"He sustained the injury during Afghanistan's recent tour of Zimbabwe and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months, remaining under treatment during this period," it added.

Additionally, India and Mumbai Indians' star bowler Jasprit Bumrah has also sustained a back injuring, ruling him out of the Champions Trophy. However, there is nothing yet on his participation in the IPL.

The IPL is scheduled to take place from March 21 to May 25 and Ghazanfar was to make his maiden appearance at the event after being bought by Mumbai Indians.


He started as a fast bowler before former Afghanistan skipper Dawlat Ahmadzai turned him into a mystery spinner.

The mystery spinner has played 11 ODIs for Afghanistan and has picked 21 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.

He was a star during the 2024 U-19 World Cup where he finished with eight wickets in four matches.

The performance was enough to earn him a senior team call-up as he made his ODI debut against Ireland. He continued to impress and even won the Player of the Match award in the Emerging Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka A as Afghanistan went on to clinch the title.