Bumrah will most likely not be available for the next Champs Trophy 2025, as India is worried on that front. Bombing are out of action since the Border-Gavaskar series that ended in early January due to an ailment, a back problem.
Bumrah did not play in the first two ODIs against England and was a part of the squad for the third ODI. The team, however, was trimmed upon the arrival of new squad from BCCI after Varun Chakravarthy was called up.
He is also part of the squad for the Champions Trophy but again, the question of fitness looms over his availability. He is subject to being declared fit by the BCCI before February 11, the final date for submission of the squad, as it was reported by ESPN Cricinfo.
The report added that Bumrah has undergone scans on his back at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The medical team, the selectors and the management will coordinate before arriving at the final decision on Bumrah.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar spoke regarding Bumrah while announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy. “Bumrah has been advised to rest for five weeks, and he won’t be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are monitoring his fitness and will expect an update from the medical team in early February,” said Agarkar.
Harshit Rana has been added to the squad in Bumrah’s absence for the ODI series against England. Harshit has played in both the first two ODIs and will seemingly play the third one too as Bumrah has traveled to Bengaluru.
The fast bowler has not played a competitive match since the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney. He was held back from bowling in the second innings of that encounter and spelt trouble for India, which eventually lost both the match and the series by 1-3.
India can hope Bumrah is fit for the Champions Trophy, at least for the knockouts. Depending on his fitness, India can either retain his place in the squad for the event or drop him altogether. But if they want him back later during the course of the tournament, they will require approval from the technical committee of the tournament since no changes can be made to the squad after February 11 without the committee’s permission.
