Indian cricket suffered a significant blow as star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was officially ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development in a press release, announcing that Jasprit Bumrah would not be part of the eight-team tournament scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 across Pakistan and Dubai.
In his absence, young pacer Harshit Rana has been drafted into the squad as his replacement. Jasprit Bumrah’s injury concerns had been looming since January, when he suffered a back issue during the fifth Test against Australia. Forced to leave the field on Day 2, he underwent scans and was later diagnosed with a back spasm. Despite being included in India’s provisional squad for the Champions Trophy, uncertainty surrounded his fitness and ultimately, the selectors opted against taking a risk.
A senior BCCI official explained that Jasprit Bumrah had undergone rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) under expert supervision. Although his scans appeared normal, it was unclear whether he would be fully match-fit in time for the tournament. Given the high stakes, the selection committee was unwilling to risk fielding an unfit player, especially considering past experiences when an early return led to a prolonged injury layoff.
Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is a major setback for India, as the 31 years old pacer has been a crucial part of the team’s white-ball setup. His last ODI appearance came in the World Cup 2023 final against Australia, where he took two wickets but could not prevent India’s heartbreaking loss. He was also instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, winning the Player of the Tournament award for his outstanding bowling performances.
While the BCCI has not provided further details on his recovery timeline, questions now arise about his availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Retained by Mumbai Indians for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, his participation in the tournament remains uncertain. For now, the focus will be on his rehabilitation and ensuring he returns to full fitness before stepping onto the field again.
