The 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy started today (February 19) with the hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match, the tournament will be played till March 9 across three venues in Pakistan — Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi — as well as one in Dubai.
However, even before the tournament started, injuries affected various teams in an adverse manner and some top players got ruled out of the tournament.
Here is a look at nine key players who will miss the Champions Trophy 2025 due to injuries:
1. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
The star Indian pacer got ruled out on February 12 due to a lower back injury. The BCCI confirmed the news on X, marking a significant loss for India. Jasprit Bumrah’s last played ODI was the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. He suffered back injury during the last test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
2. Pat Cummins (Australia)
The Australian captain was initially set to lead his team but was ruled out on February 6 due to an injury sustained after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
3. Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
The experienced fast bowler will miss the tournament due to a hip injury suffered during the third Test against India in Brisbane last year.
4. Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
The Australian all-rounder and T20I captain was ruled out on January 31 due to ongoing lower back pain and is unlikely to play again this season.
5. Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
The Proteas fast bowler, last seen in a 50-over match on September 9, 2023, against Australia, was ruled out on January 15 due to a back injury. Corbin Bosch has been named as his replacement.
6. Jacob Bethell (England)
The young English all-rounder suffered a hamstring injury in the first ODI against India on February 6 and will miss the tournament.
7. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
The left-arm pacer pulled out on February 12. Although the reason remains undisclosed, he was seen struggling with a left ankle issue during a Test against Sri Lanka.
8. Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
The promising young opener was omitted from Pakistan’s squad due to an ankle injury sustained during a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
9. Allah Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)
The 18 years old spinner suffered a fracture in the L4 vertebra during Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe. He is expected to be sidelined for at least four months.
The absence of these top players will certainly affect the tournament but it is also a great chance for the replacements to prove themselves by performing well in the tournament.
Which player will you miss the most in the Champions Trophy 2025?
