In a major setback for Team India, star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a persistent lower back injury. Bumrah, who has been a cornerstone of India's bowling attack, last played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney, where he was visibly in discomfort after bowling a few overs in the first innings. His absence from the tournament, which begins on February 19, is a significant loss for the team.
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| Image Credits: Times of India |
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has swiftly moved to adjust the squad, naming Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement. Additionally, mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been included in the team, replacing young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been dropped from the final 15-man squad but will remain as a non-traveling reserve along with Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.
India's updated squad for the Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
The loss of Bumrah is felt deeply, as he has been instrumental in India's recent successes, including leading the pace attack in various formats. His replacement, Harshit Rana, despite limited international experience, has shown promise in the ODIs against England.
With all of India's matches set to take place in Dubai, India will have to rely on their depth and the performances of the new inclusions to navigate through this challenge without one of their key players.
