In Champions Trophy 2025, India would be without one of the best fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, as he is recovering from a shoulder injury at BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. With the critical leading role played by the tearaway fast bowler ever since his return from a long injury-involved layoff in August 2023, the going sure promises to get tough for the Indian team.
He was instrumental in India sailing through to the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, was the player of the tournament as they emerged winners in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and took the most wickets in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Towards the end of the tour of Australia, Bumrah complained of back spasms, which saw him ruled out of the Champions Trophy coming up next week.
Former captain and chief selector of India Dilip Vengsarkar said Bumrah is like a blue chip to India due to his effectiveness in different phases of a game and would be missed.
”What will matter is how we (India) bowl. Bumrah will be missed. He’s an outstanding bowler and in ODIs there are 10 overs to bowl. He’s great with his second spell, the new ball, the old ball, he’s a master (with the ball),” Vengsarkar was quoted as saying by The Times Of India.
The experienced Mohammed Shami will lead India’s pace attack, assisted by Arshdeep Singh and debutant Harshit Rana. After a long absence due to fitness issues, Shami returned to the international circuit.
Arshdeep, for the time being, is a regular in T20Is, having played just 9 ODIs until now while Rana has just recently made his ODI debut hence India’s pace bowling department does look like a weak link.
Despite being so, Vengsarkar is optimistic enough to expect everyone else to now make this opportunity to their advantage with Bumrah’s absence. “I expect those who are there to grab the opportunity and establish themselves at this level. Bowling will be the key,” Vengsarkar said.
On February 20, India kicks off their Champions Trophy journey in 2025 against Bangladesh in a Group A match at Dubai.
