The fate of Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will reportedly be decided on February 11—the deadline for final squad submissions to the ICC—as uncertainty regarding the star pacer’s fitness persists.
Jasprit Bumrah was initially included in India’s 15-man provisional Champions Trophy squad, announced on January 18, but he has yet to feature in the team’s ODI series against England, India’s final series before the tournament kicks off on February 19. According to sources at ESPNCricinfo, Bumrah recently underwent a back scan at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and his fitness remains under close evaluation by both the BCCI medical staff and selectors.
Although Bumrah was expected to play a role in India’s third ODI against England, he was instead sent to Bengaluru for further assessments. The BCCI had already stated that Bumrah was unlikely to be fit for the opening games of the England series after a stress-related back injury kept him out of action since early January.
If Jasprit Bumrah cannot make it to the Champions Trophy, India may opt to replace him with Harshit Rana, who was called up for the first two ODIs against England. However, India may choose to keep him in the squad and, if necessary, make a late replacement with the approval of the tournament’s technical committee after the February 11 deadline.
India finds itself in Group A of the Champions Trophy alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, with all their matches scheduled to take place in Dubai. India’s first match is against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 23 and a game against New Zealand on March 2.
As the clock ticks down to the final decision regarding India’s Champions Trophy squad, all eyes will be on Jasprit Bumrah’s recovery and whether India will risk his inclusion. His absence from the tournament would significantly hamper India’s chances of lifting the coveted trophy once more.