Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy
What's the story
In a blow to the Indian cricket team, premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
It was earlier reported that a call on Bumrah, who is out with a back injury, will be taken on February 11, the deadline for submitting final squads.
Pacer Harshit Rana has replaced Bumrah, who also missed the England ODI series.
Injury
Bumrah's back injury required five weeks of rest
Bumrah could not bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test against Australia in early-January. He eventually finished as the highest wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It is understood that he had a "stress reaction" in his back, which required up to five weeks of rest.
Notably, Bumrah underwent fitness assessment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Run
Bumrah's record-breaking run
Bumrah was recently adjudged the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men's Test Cricket of the Year.
The pace merchant delivered one stellar spell after another, though India failed to make it to the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship final.
India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Bumrah was the highest wicket-taker.
He also helped India win the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
Pacers
Concerns loom over India's pace attack
As the 2025 Champions Trophy draws closer, Team India is dealing with fitness issues among its pacers.
The uncertainty over Bumrah's return and Mohammed Shami's hot-and-cold performances raised eyebrows. Shami's form since his return has been inconsistent, raising concerns regarding his readiness.
While Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are the other options, Mohammed Siraj has fallen out of the pecking order.
Varun
Varun replaces Jaiswal in CT squad
The BCCI also named spinner Varun Chakravarthy as a replacement for Yashasvi Jaiswal,
Notably, Jaiswal who had originally made the cut in the provisional squad, will be a non-travelling substitute alongside pacer Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.
Last week, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma had hinted at Varun's inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad, saying that the mystery spinner "clearly had something different about him."
Information
India's final squad for Champions Trophy
India's squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Statement
BCCI's official statement
The BCCI issued a statement, saying "Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men's Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement."
"Team India have also named Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad. The spinner will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal who was initially named in the provisional squad," the statement added.