Keeping time, in two weeks’ time, the Indian team begins their 2025 Champions Trophy campaign by padding up against Bangladesh. They have already announced the squad, and a three-match ODI series starting today in Nagpur will help shake off the rust, if any, as Rohit Sharma aims to win another ICC title in his captaincy career.
India do have fitness concerns, though. Their strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering from the back injury obtained in the final Test of the recent Australia tour, and a final call on whether to put him to test for fitness in the ODI series against England is pending, awaiting the scan results.
“Jasprit we are waiting on some update about his scans and stuff, which was due to happen in some days. Once we get that scan, we will be able to give you more clarity on where he stands right now,” said Rohit in front of reporters in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are the pace attack of the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy.
In further questioning over the fast bowler’s availability for the glittering event starting February 19, Bumrah has not been included in an updated squad for the England ODIs recently announced by the BCCI.
India, however, welcomed rookie fast bowler Harshit Rana in their squad for the home series against England.
Twenty-three-year-old Rana made his Test debut during the just-concluded Australia tour and last week made his T20I debut after coming in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube.
This 140kph leaker has been touted to have a bright future in the game, and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that the right-arm pacer deserves a game in the England series, given the scenario so that he does get a taste of ODI cricket.
“Bumrah’s name not mentioned in the updated squad. Not for the final ODI also. There’s no Siraj in the team already. Find a way to get Rana to debut vs Eng. I don’t know how though…with Arshdeep having played only a handful of ODI and Shami on a comeback trail. Play three seamers?” Chopra posted on X.
India are going to face England today in the first ODI which is scheduled to take place in Nagpur.
