Despite sealing a 2-0 series win against England, Team India’s road to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is far from smooth. The biggest concern? The fitness of their pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. With the squad submission deadline fast approaching, the BCCI finds itself in a race against time.
Waiting on Bumrah: A Risk Worth Taking?
Bumrah hasn’t played since the 5th Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, sidelined by a persistent back injury. His latest scans offer mixed results—while the injury isn’t career-threatening, a full recovery remains uncertain.
A BCCI source told The Times of India,
“Even if there’s only a 1% chance, the board is likely to wait. They took the same approach with Hardik Pandya during the World Cup and with Shubman Gill’s dengue episode—waiting until the last possible moment before naming a replacement.”
With the February 11 squad submission deadline looming, India is expected to include Bumrah, even if he isn’t fully fit. If he fails to recover, the Event Technical Committee could be approached for a late replacement.
Road to Recovery: Bumrah’s Fitness Rehabilitation Begins
To speed up his recovery, Bumrah was kept away from any strenuous activity for nearly five weeks. Now, he is set to begin rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
His progress in the coming days will decide his Champions Trophy participation. Given his stature as one of the world’s finest pacers, India is willing to take the risk, even if it means missing him for the early games.
Plan B? Varun Chakravarthy in the Mix
With Bumrah’s fitness still uncertain, India is considering backup options. Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as a strong contender.
Before the England series, Rohit Sharma hinted at his inclusion, stating,
“Throughout the series, it gives us a chance to play him and assess his abilities. Right now, we haven’t decided, but he is definitely in contention.”
India’s Dilemma: Gamble or Backup?
With the Champions Trophy nearing, India faces a tough decision—gamble on a not-fully-fit Bumrah or finalize a backup. Either way, the clock is ticking, and their preparations are anything but smooth.
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