IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians suffer from setbacks when key spinner excluded for four months

Mumbai Indians suffered a big setback on Wednesday as the Afghan spinner Allah Ghazanfar was excluded by cricket for four months after suffering a lower back break. The spinner was chosen by Mumbai Indian in the IPL 2025 MEGA auction for Rs 4.8 Crore.

Ghazanfar sustained the damage during Afghanistan’s tour in Zimbabwe late last year and sidelined him for at least four months.

“Am Ghazanfar has been excluded from the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 rhythm (placed in the crucifix), specifically in left pars interarticularis,” the Afghanistan cricket board (ACB) laid out on ‘x’.

“He sustained the damage during Afghanistan’s recent tour in Zimbabwe and will be sidelined for at least four months and remain under treatment during this period,” it added.

In addition, India and the Mumbai Indians’ Star Bowler Jasprit Bumrah have also maintained a back that hurts and controls him out of Champions Trophy. However, there is nothing yet on his participation in IPL.

IPL is scheduled to take place from March 21 to May 25, and Ghazanfar was to make his virgin performance at the event after being purchased by the Mumbai Indians.
He started as a quick bowler before former Afghanistan skipper Dawlat Ahmadzai made him a mysterious spinner.

Mystery Spinner has played 11 ODDs for Afghanistan and has chosen 21 wickets, including two five-wicket traits.

He was a star during the U-19 world championship in 2024, ending with eight wickets in four games.

The show was enough to serve him a senior team call when he debuted against Ireland. He continued to impress and even won the player of the match prize in the new Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka A as Afghanistan continued to squeeze the title.