India’s squad received a decisive blow earlier this week, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah declared unfit for India’s campaign for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Given how much Bumrah has been leading the bowling front for India across formats, his absence will surely be felt; but head coach Gautam Gambhir sees that as an opportunity for others to shine.
“He’s (Bumrah) injured; if he’s injured, he’s injured. Whether it is me, or whether it is the captain, we can’t do much about it,” Gambhir told reporters on Wednesday after India won the 3-0 ODI series over England in Ahmedabad.
“Obviously, we know that he’s an important factor. But as I mentioned, people like Harshit (Rana), Arshdeep (Singh), and Mohammed Shami, all these guys will put their hand up. It is a great opportunity for them to try and deliver for the country,” he added.
Now India will also depend on Mohammed Shami‘s experience who has recently come back to international cricket after a long layoff due to injury.
“Look, it is always good to have world-class bowlers back in the team. With his experience and the quality, we all know what he can do with the ball in his hand,” Gambhir said.
The Indian team management, meanwhile, has been careful with Shami with the load management to not play him in each match. He appeared in two of five T20s against England and the first two ODIs of the three-match series that followed.
“Obviously, we were trying to manage his (Shami) workload. That is the reason why we played him two T20s and two one-dayers. Hopefully, he is going to be fresh and ready to go to the Champions Trophy,” Gambhir said.
Shami was a key player in the final run of the Indian side this year and was the leading wicket-taker of the 2023 ODI World Cup.2023
Read more- Champions Trophy 2025 India Squad
India will kick off its Champions Trophy 2025 campaign versus Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
