With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fast approaching, several teams will be missing key players after grappling with major injury setbacks. Teams have confirmed their final squads ahead of the ICC deadline, with some of the biggest names in world cricket having been ruled out either due to injuries, stepping away from the format entirely, or personal reasons.
Here’s a look at the star players who will miss the tournament thus far.
Jasprit Bumrah (India)
A man made for big moments, Bumrah will miss the Champions Trophy because of a back injury suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Persistent back issues have plagued his career over the last few years, but have not stopped him from wreaking havoc when he’s fully fit. His absence leaves a massive void in India’s plans as they look to add a third Champions Trophy crown.
Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
Promising Pakistan opener Saim Ayub will miss his first major ODI tournament due to an ankle injury. The young left-hander was expected to provide an aggressive start at the top of the order, but fractured his ankle against South Africa. His exclusion is a setback for Pakistan’s batting depth for now, but he is seen as the future of Pakistan cricket.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Marsh (Australia)
Australia will be the team that suffers the most from missing players in the Champions Trophy. Captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh are all out of the tournament due to injuries. Their absence leaves several questions for the Aussies to answer in a tough Group B.
Marcus Stoinis (Australia)
While the other three mainstays were forced out due to injury, Stoinis decided to bid farewell to ODI cricket altogether just weeks out from the tournament. Expected to shoulder the load during Marsh’s absence, Stoinis leaves even more questions for his team.
Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Compounding Australia’s misery, Starc was the latest Australian pacer to be ruled out of the tournament. Cricket Australia has not revealed the details of his absence, but it is rumoured that the left-armer personally requested to withdraw from the tournament.
AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan’s debut Champions Trophy campaign will have to proceed without its rising spin talent, AM Ghazanfar. The 18-year-old is suffering from a back injury that is expected to require a significant amount of time to heal. With age on his side, Ghazanfar is anticipated to be a part of the Afghanistan team for years to come.
Jacob Bethell (England)
England’s horrid time in India was compounded by the news that rising all-rounder Jacob Bethell will miss the Champions Trophy due to a hamstring injury. His absence is a blow to England’s squad depth, particularly in the middle order, given his handiness with both bat and ball.
Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee (South Africa)
The Proteas will have to make a run for their first international trophy without the services of their fastest bowlers, Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee. Nortje was the first to fall victim to the injury bug, before his eventual replacement, Coetzee, also injured himself before the tournament.
The teams do not have any time left to rue their missing players. Despite these absences, the Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an exciting tournament nonetheless.
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