BCCI’s final decision on Team India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will come tomorrow i.e. on February 11. Bumrah is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where his back has been scanned.
Bumrah suffered back pain during the Test match against Australia last month. He left the field after bowling just 10 overs in the first innings. Since then he is out of the team and is also not able to play in the ongoing series against England. Doctors have advised him to rest for 5 weeks.
According to BCCI sources, if Bumrah is not fit, then young fast bowler Harshit Rana can be included in the team in his place. However, if there is any small hope that Bumrah can play in the middle or last matches of the tournament, he will be retained in the team.
Bumrah’s exclusion from the team can be a big setback for India. The team already has only two specialist fast bowlers – Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh. The team will miss Bumrah because he proves to be very effective especially in the death overs.
The ICC Champions Trophy is starting from February 19. India will play its first match against Bangladesh on February 20. After this, there will be a match against Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.
Team India coach Rahul Dravid has said that it is not easy to fill the place of a player like Bumrah. But the fitness of the player is most important and no risk will be taken in this matter. If Bumrah is out of the tournament, then apart from Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan can also make a place in the team.
BCCI officials, selectors and team management will be present in the meeting to be held tomorrow. The future strategy will be decided only after discussing Bumrah’s medical report. Fans hope that Bumrah will get fit soon and return to the team, but at this time his health and long career are most important.
