With the deadline to finalize squads for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fast approaching, Team India is anxiously awaiting a fitness update on Jasprit Bumrah. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the selectors will make a final decision on Bumrah’s availability by February 11—the last day to submit squads for the tournament.
Bumrah has been rested since the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test where he was unable to bowl due to a back issue. Informed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the ace pacer was rested and since then was under close observation.
Though Bumrah has been included in India’s ODI squad against England, he hasn’t played a single match yet. There have been many questions regarding his fitness, and he has given very vague responses as neither the players nor the coaching staff has been able to give a final update. At present, he is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where BCCI medical experts are monitoring his progress.
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India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar had already indicated in January that Bumrah was unlikely to be fit for the early matches of the England series and might even miss the group stage of the Champions Trophy.
🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR INDIAN CRICKET 🚨
– Jasprit Bumrah is likely to start physical activity like some gym work and even light bowling in the next 24-28 hours. (Sahil Malhotra/TOI).#Jaspritbumrah𓃵 #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/4K6U94cwBh
— 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐓 ⁹³🐐 (@JASSITHEGOAT93) February 10, 2025
“Bumrah has been advised to offload for five weeks and was ruled out of the first two ODIs against England. His availability for the Champions Trophy will depend on the medical team’s assessment in early February,” Ajit Agarkar stated on January 18.
In Bumrah’s absence, India has experimented with young fast bowler Harshit Rana and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy during the England series. Both players have impressed in their outings and are now strong contenders for a late inclusion in India’s Champions Trophy squad.
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With the tournament scheduled to start on February 19, India’s selectors face an uneasy call between gambling with Bumrah’s fitness or looking for alternatives. The coming days are crucial in determining India’s bowling attack for one of cricket’s most high-stakes tournaments.
