In a major setback for India, ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting February 19. Bumrah, who sustained a back injury during the final Test against Australia in Sydney last month, has failed to recover in time and will be replaced by pacer Harshit Rana in the squad.
This marks the second time in the last five years that Bumrah has missed a major ICC tournament due to injury, having previously been sidelined from the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
“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,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced in a late-night statement on Tuesday.
The squad has also seen another change, with spinner Varun Chakaravarthy earning a spot following his impressive performance in the recent T20I series against England. Chakaravarthy, who claimed 14 wickets in five T20Is, was handed an ODI call-up in Cuttack, where he picked up 1/54. He replaces Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has now been moved to the list of non-traveling reserves along with Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.
“The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required,” the BCCI added in its statement.
Bumrah’s absence is a major blow for Team India, which has won the Champions Trophy twice (2002 and 2013). The 31-year-old has been a vital cog in India’s bowling attack, playing a crucial role in their victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, where he was named Player of the Tournament for his 15 wickets at an average of 8.26.
His performances in the recent five-match Test series in Australia further cemented his stature as one of the best bowlers in world cricket. Despite India losing the series 3-1, Bumrah was a standout performer, taking 32 wickets in nine innings at an astonishing average of 13.06.
India’s heavy reliance on Bumrah saw him endure an intense workload during the tour, culminating in visible fatigue. During the fourth Test in Melbourne, he was seen requesting captain Rohit Sharma not to hand him the old ball, and in the final Test in Sydney, where he was leading the team in Rohit’s absence, he walked off the field on Day 2 and later left the stadium for scans. He was unable to bowl in the second innings, raising concerns about his fitness.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had hinted at uncertainty regarding Bumrah’s availability while announcing the squad for the ongoing ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. “With Bumrah, we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when he’s likely to be available. At the moment, I don’t think he is likely to be fit for the first couple of games at least,” Agarkar had said during a press conference in Mumbai.