New Delhi, February 2025 – With just two weeks remaining until the start of the Champions Trophy 2025, India’s 15-man squad continues to raise several questions, particularly regarding the fitness of key pacers. Despite the excitement building for the tournament, the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami is causing significant concern for the team management.
Fitness Concerns for Bumrah and Shami
India’s main focus in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy is on the fitness of its pacers. The uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s recovery from a back injury is particularly troubling. As per former cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra, there has been no concrete update regarding Bumrah’s availability for the tournament.
“The latest updates about Bumrah’s fitness are not very encouraging, but I prefer to wait for official confirmation rather than believing rumors,” Chopra remarked on his YouTube channel.
Bumrah suffered a back injury during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and as per Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, Bumrah was advised to take five weeks of complete rest. The lack of clarity about his recovery has left the squad in a state of uncertainty.
Shami’s Inconsistent Form
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, who returned to the national side after an extended break, has been struggling to find his rhythm. His form has been patchy, with his performances raising concerns about his readiness for the Champions Trophy.
In the third T20I, Shami failed to take a wicket, finishing with figures of 0/25 in three overs. While he took three wickets in the fifth T20I, his economy was concerning, giving away 35 runs in just 2.3 overs.
“Having four pacemakers in the Champions Trophy squad would have been a great idea. Although Shami took three wickets in his last outing and bowled reasonably well, he is still far from being fully match-ready,” Chopra commented.
Despite these concerns, India has named just three pacers – Bumrah, Shami, and Arshdeep Singh – in the squad, with a heavier reliance on spinners.
Aakash Chopra Predicts a Change in the Squad
Chopra, however, believes that there could be a change in the pacers’ lineup before the tournament kicks off. While Harshit Rana was initially selected as an injury back-up for Bumrah for the first two ODIs against England, Mohammed Siraj was excluded from the initial squad. Chopra feels that Siraj, who has been performing well, will likely make his way into the final squad.
“I believe another fast bowler could be added to the squad. While it’s still unclear who will make way, I have a strong feeling Siraj will be part of the Champions Trophy squad,” Chopra shared.
Inclusion of Varun Chakravarthy Raises Further Questions
India’s squad has seen other recent adjustments, such as the inclusion of Varun Chakravarthy, an in-form mystery spinner, in the squad for the ODI series against England. This has led to further speculation about the final makeup of the squad, particularly with regards to the balance between pacers and spinners.
Conclusion: The Road to the Champions Trophy
With just weeks to go before India embarks on its Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, the fitness of key pacers will play a crucial role in determining the team’s composition. While Bumrah and Shami continue to raise concerns, there is a possibility that Mohammed Siraj could find his way back into the squad, bolstering India’s pace attack. As the tournament draws nearer, the final squad may undergo further changes, depending on how the fitness of key players shapes up.
“India’s pacers have been inconsistent, but the final squad will come down to how quickly these players recover and regain match fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy.”