New Delhi, January 12, 2025: The Indian cricket team has suffered a significant setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the tournament due to a back injury.
According to Indian media reports, Bumrah is expected to sit out the league stage of the tournament after experiencing back swelling during the Sydney Test against Australia. The injury has also ruled him out of the T20I series against England.
Bumrah will now undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where his recovery and fitness will be closely monitored. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors are currently deliberating on whether to include him in the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy or place him on the reserves list.
The BCCI is expected to announce a provisional squad soon, with a final deadline of February 12 to assess Bumrah’s fitness and finalize his status for the tournament.
Concerns over Bumrah’s workload have been voiced by several former Indian cricketers, particularly after his performances in the recently concluded Australia series. During the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which India lost by 184 runs, Bumrah’s heavy bowling workload drew attention.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, when asked after the Boxing Day Test if the team risked overworking Bumrah, acknowledged the challenge. “Yeah, there is a risk. To be honest, he has bowled a lot of overs. But again, every Test match we play, we keep that in mind—the workloads of all the bowlers. Still, if someone is in such great form, you want to maximize that form as much as you can. That’s what we’ve been trying to do with Bumrah,” Rohit explained.
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah, considered one of the best fast bowlers in the world, could significantly impact India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy. The selectors and team management will be hoping for a swift recovery as they gear up for the high-stakes tournament.
