Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss England ODIs; in doubt for Champions Trophy

Subhayan Chakraborty in Sydney

The Indian cricket team is sweating over the availability of Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be held in Pakistan and Dubai. Bumrah left the field during Australia’s first innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground and did not bowl a single over in the second innings. Prasidh Krishna confirmed in a press conference that Bumrah had suffered a “back spasm”. While neither Krishna nor Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, speaking a day later, emphasised the severity of Bumrah’s back injury, RevSportz has learned that he is likely to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, starting from February 9. It is also understood that the exact grade of Bumrah’s back injury has yet to be determined and will be assessed when the ace pacer returns to India.

Bumrah, who is still in Australia following the Sydney Test which concluded in three days, will undergo further examination upon his return. The majority of the players and support staff have struggled to secure business class tickets at the last minute for their respective travel plans, whether home or to vacation destinations. Rohit Sharma has already returned to India.

“A little frustrating (on injury) but sometimes you have to respect your body, and you can’t fight your body,” Bumrah had said during the post-match presentation in Sydney. “Sometimes, you have to accept. Would have loved to bowl on the spiciest wicket of the series. Just had a little discomfort after the first innings.”

However, sources familiar with the situation are confident that Bumrah, who took 32 wickets at an average of 13 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will be available for the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. India will play their first game against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. Even if Bumrah misses the initial matches, in case the back injury turns out to be more serious than initially thought, he should be available for the knockout stages if India qualify.

“Not at the moment honestly because the medical team is working on him,” Gambhir had said about the extent of Bumrah’s injury after the end of Sydney Test. “So, we will give you the right update at the right time.”

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The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to announce India’s squad for both the England ODI series and the Champions Trophy on January 12, the same day the BCCI hierarchy meets for a Special General Meeting where Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia will be appointed as the new BCCI secretary and treasurer. That is also the ICC deadline to submit the squad for the Champions Trophy.

Bumrah’s name is expected to be included in the Champions Trophy squad with an asterisk, as he will need clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical staff upon reaching full fitness. Other players being closely monitored include Mohammed Shami, out of international action since the ODI World Cup 2023, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is also likely to be in the squad for both the England ODIs and the Champions Trophy as a back-up opener, with Rohit Sharma, who will lead the side, and Shubman Gill at the top of the order. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will bat at No. 3 and No. 4. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are competing for the wicket-keeper’s slot, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to form the spin trio, with Washington Sundar also likely to be part of the team.

Hardik Pandya will be in the squad, but it remains to be seen whether Nitish Kumar Reddy makes the travelling squad for the Champions Trophy. The selection committee has also been monitoring Varun Chakaravarthy, but it’s unclear if he will get the nod for the 50-over format.

While Mohammed Siraj will be rested for the T20I series against England, he is expected to return for the ODI series and the Champions Trophy. Arshdeep Singh is also likely to be part of the squad. But all eyes will be on Bumrah and the extent of the back spasms he suffered during the gruelling Australia tour, where he bowled over 150 overs in five Tests.

Also Read: How Can India Get Mohammed Siraj Back to His Best?

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