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Jasprit Bumrah, who last played an ODI match for India on November 19, 2023, is a doubtful starter for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to back spasms.
3 players who can replace Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Champions Trophy squad if he misses out due to fitness-related issues. (Picture Credit: AFP)
The 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy is set to start on February 19 with a match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand at National Stadium in Karachi. India will open its campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and then face arch-rivals Pakistan in the second match on February 23. India’s third and final Group A match is scheduled to take place at the same venue on March 2, and if India manages to finish in the top two, then the Men in Blue’s semifinal match will also take place in Dubai on March 4.
India is set to announce the 15-member squad for the ICC event, which is making a comeback after eight years, on Sunday, January 12, and it will be interesting to see if Jasprit Bumrah manages to find a place in the squad. The 31-year-old fast bowler, who picked up 32 wickets in the recently concluded five-match Test series against Australia, last played a 50-over match for India on November 19, 2023, against Australia during the ODI World Cup 2023 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Bumrah is dealing with a back spasm these days, and due to that he didn’t bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test as well. There are question marks over his availability for the Champions Trophy as the full extent of his back injury is yet to be determined.
If Bumrah misses out, it will be a big setback for Team India, as he has been in red-hot form these days and is taking wickets for fun.
With Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh almost certain to get picked, here’s a look at three fast bowlers who can replace Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad:
Avesh Khan: Avesh Khan has 9 wickets to his name in eight ODIs played so far. He played in all three matches of the away series against South Africa in December 2023 and accounted for the dismissal of four batters for 27 runs in his quota of eight overs.
Prasidh Krishna: Prasidh Krishna has dismissed 29 batters in 17 ODIs for India. The 28-year-old pacer from Karnataka was part of India’s ODI World Cup 2023 squad. Krishna last played for India in the Sydney Test against Australia and picked up three wickets each in both innings.
Harshit Rana: Harshit Rana was part of India’s squad in the last ODI series, which was played against Sri Lanka in August 2024. The 22-year-old, however, didn’t get a chance to make his ODI debut. The 23-year-old cricketer from Delhi has played 14 List A matches so far and has picked up 22 wickets.
In addition to the above-mentioned players, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal will also be in contention for a place in India’s Champions Trophy squad. While Khaleel last played a 50-over match for India in 2019, Dayal is yet to make his international debut for Men in Blue.
