Will Jasprit Bumrah be ready for Champions Trophy 2025?
Although Bumrah has been named in the 15-member squad for the tournament, announced on January 18, his participation is still uncertain.
Hyderabad: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been out of action since the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia due to back spasms, and uncertainty remains over his availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
According to reports, the star bowler was earlier advised five weeks of rest by the BCCI medical staff, and he is currently at the Board’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His scan reports are being internally reviewed.
Although Bumrah has been named in the 15-member squad for the tournament, announced on January 18, his participation is still uncertain.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding who should replace him in case he is deemed unfit, as Tuesday (February 11) is the deadline for submission of final squads to the ICC for the Champions Trophy.
While some feel that Harshit Rana, who impressed in the recent T20 series against England, should replace Bumrah, others believe that the more experienced Mohammed Siraj should be chosen as his replacement.
However, the selectors may retain Bumrah in the squad, hoping that he will be available at least for the later stages of the tournament.
India is in Group A, along with arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, and will play all their matches in Dubai. The team will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before playing Pakistan on February 23, and concluding the group stage with a match against New Zealand on March 2.
