Champions Trophy 2025: Jasprit Bumrah included in squad despite fitness concerns
Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, despite lingering fitness issues stemming from a back injury sustained during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah, who captained India in the fifth Test against Australia, was unable to bowl on the last day due to a back spasm.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressed optimism about Bumrah’s recovery ahead of the tournament, which starts on February 19. However, no backup has been named for the speedster in case he fails to regain match fitness before the group stage. Reports suggest that the BCCI’s medical team has advised Bumrah to take two weeks of rest, effectively ruling him out of the upcoming T20Is and ODIs against England. Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been called up as his replacement for the England series.
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Agarkar refrained from disclosing specifics about Bumrah’s condition, leaving it to the BCCI medical staff to provide updates. Speaking about the situation, he said, "With Bumrah, we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when he is likely to be available. So, Harshit Rana will be part of the one-day squad against England for now. At the moment, I don't think he's likely to be fit for the first couple of games, at least from what we gather."
Meanwhile, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and young left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh have also been included in India’s Champions Trophy squad. Shami is set to make his return to international cricket during the T20I series against England after being sidelined since November 2023. Interestingly, Arshdeep has been preferred over Mohammed Siraj for the tournament.
India's squad for the #ChampionsTrophy 2025 announced! ???? ????
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2025
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India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign with a group stage match against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India’s Champions Trophy Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
