New Delhi:
In a significant blow to India’s cricket team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a persistent lower back injury. This development comes as the team finalizes its squad for the prestigious event, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the UAE.
Bumrah, a crucial component of India’s bowling attack, suffered the injury during the Sydney Test against Australia in January. Despite initial hopes of a swift recovery, the 31-year-old pacer has not regained full fitness, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to replace him with young seamer Harshit Rana. Rana, just 23, has already made an impact with three wickets on his ODI debut against England.
In another key change, spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been included in the squad, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will now be part of the non-travelling substitutes along with Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. Chakravarthy’s inclusion is a testament to his recent form, particularly his successful stint in T20 cricket and his ODI debut against England.
Under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill as his deputy, the Indian team boasts a strong batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. The all-round capabilities of Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja add depth to the team, while Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav form a formidable bowling unit.
India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by matches against Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2. Here is the complete squad:
Indian cricket team: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.
Non-travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube.
