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Mohammed Shami is spearheading India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah at the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.
Jasprit Bumrah (left) and Mohammed Shami last played together at the 2023 ODI World Cup. (PTI Photo)
India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah had a stellar 2024 with the ball that saw him win the ICC Men’s Cricketer Of The Year, ICC Men’s Test Player Of The Year awards. He was also included in the ICC Men’s Test Team Of The Year and ICC T20I Team Of The Year.
Bumrah played a starring role in India winning the T20 World Cup last year where he was also chosen as player-of-the-tournament.
He was key to India beating England 4-1 in a five-match Test series at home at the beginning of 2024 and finished as the leading wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
However, the maverick fast bowler picked up an injury during the fifth and final Test of India’s Australia tour in January which eventually ended his hopes of taking part in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
In Bumrah’s absence, Mohammed Shami is leading the Indian pace attack. Shami spent a significant period on the sidelines due to fitness issues and made his international comeback in January this year.
The 34-year-old Shami started his Champions Trophy campaign with a five-wicket haul and Bumrah is hopeful the seasoned campaigner will continue to improve as he plays more matches.
“I’m really happy for him. Obviously, he’s had an injury struggle for so long. It takes a toll. But he’s been very happy and very positive. Looks good, he has the skill obviously, that will never go anywhere. The more he plays, the more confidence will come, and hopefully, he’ll help the team go further,” Bumrah told ICC.
Bumrah attended India’s blockbuster clash with Pakistan in Dubai last Sunday and prior to the start of the match, was presented with his ICC awards.
“It feels really good,” Bumrah said. “As a child, I’d seen some of my childhood heroes win this (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy) award. Always a privilege when you get such an honour. Obviously, a lot of learnings in my mind in the year as well. We played a lot of Test cricket, we got to know a lot of different experiences, so yeah, I’m very happy and hopefully better things will follow.”
Bumrah enjoyed the ‘atmosphere’ in Dubai and hopes to see more competitive matches.
The atmosphere is brilliant. The excitement…this tournament is coming after a long time so the buzz is there. The start has been good, hopefully the matches will get even better and the competition will be even fierce.”
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
